Evaluation of the Impact of Fadama Development Programme on Livelihood Outcomes Among Beneficiary Households in Sokoto State

The National Fadama Development Programme represents one of Nigeria's largest community-driven agricultural and rural development initiatives, targeting floodplain users with infrastructure, equipment, and livelihood support. In Sokoto State, where fadama lands along river valleys support significant smallholder horticulture and livestock enterprises, the programme has been implemented across multiple phases. This study evaluated the impact of the Fadama Development Programme on livelihood outcomes among beneficiary households in Sokoto State. A sample of 100 households comprising programme beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was selected through stratified random sampling from four fadama user groups. Data on asset ownership, income, food security, and access to productive services were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and propensity score matching were applied to compare outcomes. Results showed that Fadama beneficiaries had significantly higher household asset indices and farm incomes than matched non-beneficiaries. Agricultural income among beneficiaries was approximately 36 percent higher, driven primarily by improved irrigation equipment access and market linkage support. Community-level infrastructure investments including market stalls and rural tracks were widely rated as high-impact by beneficiaries. Governance challenges including elite capture of some facility allocations were also reported. The study recommends strengthening community transparency mechanisms in Fadama implementation and expanding beneficiary coverage to marginalised groups. Keywords: Fadama programme, livelihood outcomes, Sokoto State, beneficiary households, community-driven development.