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The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of new skills and knowledge acquired by the
beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the poverty alleviation programmes of the National
Fadama Development Project III and the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC)
Programmes.
This study adopted a descriptive research design.
A total of 150 beneficiaries comprising 70 FADAMA III and 80 JDPC beneficiaries selected
purposively from Ondo and Osun were picked for the study.
A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. This was “Questionnaire for the
beneficiaries of Fadama III and JDPC programmes (QBFJ)”. The QBFJ was designed to gather
information on the skills and knowledge acquired by the beneficiaries. Data were analyzed using
percentage and chi-square statistics.
The study indicated that seven new skills were acquired by the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries also
acquired knowledge on ten different types of management programmes. The result further revealed
that skills acquired by the beneficiaries of poverty alleviation programmes were significantly influenced
by their gender (x2 = 39.93, p <0.05), Bees keeping was the major skill acquired with 60% of the
beneficiaries while 66.7% acquired knowledge on tree crops management.
Conclusion: This study has established that good implementation of poverty alleviation programmes
will improve the standard of living of the beneficiaries. Poverty incidence can thus become reduced
with increased investment in people, improving their quality and enhancing their employment
prospects. It is recommended that priorities for reform should include emphasizing investment in basic
education, working to improve social equity in educational provision and encouraging vocational
education and training.