Abstract:

This study assessed the needs for rain-fed farmers, dairy farmers, fish farmers and irrigation farmers, so as to guide the support and investment choices for enhancement for sustainable agricultural productivity and profitability in Nguwom community of Borno State, Nigeria. A total of 510 respondents comprising 210 rain-fed farmers, 120 dairy farmers, 60 fish farmers and 120 irrigation farmers which were purposively selected in the project area, supplemented with Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), reflecting the agricultural enterprises. The needs assessment process consisted of the selection of beneficiaries; semi-structured interviews with leaders and individual members in the conflict affected communities and a final validation of findings with farmer’s community leaders. The findings were used to develop plan for input procurement, distribution, monitoring and evaluation for the project. The input needs of the farmers across enterprises indicated that 100% 0f the rain-fed farmers needed inputs such as cowpea seeds, inorganic fertilizers, knapsack sprayer and farm tools, while other inputs were needed by up to 60% of the farmers. The dairy farmers needed 100% of goats and feeds, while vaccines are needed by 68.33% of the respondents. The Fish farmers needed for all the identified inputs; fingerlings, fish feeds, vaccines, smoking kiln and pond harvesting nets. The irrigation farmers needed 100% of water pump machines and inorganic fertilizers, pesticides (81.67%), herbicides (66.67%) and 50% for tomato seeds, water melon, onion seeds and knapsack sprayer. In terms of the input provision, particular emphasis should be on supporting the identified most vulnerable but active members of the communities such as widows, orphans, women and youth.