Abstract

National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) is one of the efforts of government to alleviate poverty and improve food sustainability in Nigeria. NPFS operates group approach to achieve its objectives across the senatorial districts in Nigeria. The extent to which NPFS programme was successful has been attributed to dynamics of group effectiveness. This study therefore investigated the perceived effectiveness of group-related factors on food production among beneficiaries of NPFS in Southwest, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to draw sample for this study. Oyo, Ondo and Lagos states were purposively selected based on availability of sustainable fund and management committees for NPFS in line with its set objectives and 494 respondents were randomly selected. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive (frequency counts, charts and percentages) and inferential (Chi-square, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), at p˂0.05. Results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 52.4 years. Most (62.3%) of them were male and 87.9% had farming as primary occupation. Maize and cassava were major crops grown by 84.0 and 81.2% of the farmers respectively. A large proportion (89.9%) indicated willingness to share knowledge and responsibility while 89.3% indicated size of group as factors that facilitated group cohesion. Above half (54.9%) farmers had favourable perception of effectiveness of NPFS strategies on their production. Significant relationship existed between sex (χ2=3.508), and perceived effectiveness of NPFS group-related factors. Group cohesion factors such as favourable atmosphere (r=0.142), attitude of members to group activities (r=0.186) and severity of entry requirements (r=0.128) were significantly related to perceived effectiveness of NPFS group- related factors.