Abstract

In order that agriculture may continue to play its leading role as the bedrock for every nation?s economy, there is the need for support and sustenance from relevant organisations. Hence, this study examined services rendered by non-governmental organisations involved in agricultural related activities in Ebonyi State. Three NGOs were purposively selected because of their involvement in agricultural related activities. The studied NGOs were Omemma Palm Produce Union (OPPU), Ngodo Women Association (NWA) and Better Life for Rice Association (BLRA). A sample of 120 beneficiaries of the NGOs services were randomly selected for this study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Result shows that 59.2% of the beneficiaries were within the age bracket of 41-50 years, 73.3% were females, 83.3% were married and beneficiaries were 100% Christians. More than half of the beneficiaries (57.5%) had formal education with 32.5% having primary education. It was found that the three organisations provide credit facilities for beneficiaries. Also, OPPU provide services such as Oil palm fruits processing and training/technical knowledge; NWA provide services such as cassava processing and access to fertilizer while BLRA provide services which include rice processing, fertilizer, improved seeds and rice seedlings provision. The provision of credit facilities by NGOs was on occasional basis as indicated by beneficiaries. Improved seeds were occasionally provided by NWA (100.0%) and BLRA (100.0%). Almost all beneficiaries (93.6%) of OPPU enjoyed provision of technical knowledge. Level of output of OPPU beneficiaries (79.0%) was perceived to increase more than those of NWA (66.7%) and BLRA (45.5%) beneficiaries. Majority of the beneficiaries are constrained by poor market prices of produce (100.0%), high cost of labour (100.0%) and inadequate credit facilities (98.3%). Constraints were high for NWA and BLRA beneficiaries than OPPU beneficiaries. NGOs should endeavor to provide adequate resources needed by beneficiaries for actualisation and sustainability of program objectives. There is the need for NGOs to collaborate with international agencies interested in agricultural related services in order to overcome financial associated constraints.

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