China’s Agricultural Assistance Projects in Benue State: An Assessment of Farmer Perceptions

China has provided agricultural technical assistance to Nigeria through bilateral aid programmes, with several projects implemented in Benue State, a predominantly agricultural state in the North Central zone. This study assesses farmer perceptions of China's agricultural assistance projects in three Local Government Areas of Benue State. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 160 smallholder farmers who participated in Chinese-assisted agricultural programmes, alongside interviews with ten state Ministry of Agriculture officials and four Chinese agricultural technical experts. Findings indicate that Chinese-introduced rice cultivation techniques and improved seed varieties have increased rice yields by an estimated 35 to 45 percent on demonstrator farms. Farmers express high appreciation for the practical, demonstration-based nature of Chinese agricultural extension methods. However, sustainable adoption challenges arise from the high cost of the required inputs, which are not locally produced. Soil suitability varies across Local Government Areas, limiting the transferability of Chinese cultivation models developed in different ecological zones. The study concludes that Chinese agricultural assistance in Benue State produces demonstrable technical benefits but requires adaptation to local agroecological conditions and value chain constraints. Recommendations include establishing seed multiplication programmes and input supply cooperatives to ensure continuity beyond project cycles in the North Central zone.

Keywords: Chinese agricultural assistance, Benue State, farmer perceptions, agricultural development, North Central Nigeria