A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A FOCUS ON SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract:Local government has served as a springboard for progress in the rural areas. Local government administrations are increasingly recognized as primary agents of rural development and as collaborators with both state and federal governments on rural development projects in progress. This study focused on the agriculture sector in Ondo State to evaluate how local government affects rural and grassroots development. The study used a straightforward survey research methodology, with questionnaire administration, focus group discussions, and interviews as the methods for gathering data. Information was gathered from both primary and secondary sources. In each of the twelve (12) selected villages, questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with 10–15 participants were used to gather the primary data. The FGD is to explore issues related to impact of Agricultural Development Programme on farmers in the twelve (12) selected villages, how local government agricultural extension service has been of help to farmers in the study areas and what are the infrastructures put in place by local government. The secondary data came from a variety of sources, including books, journals, government documents, unpublished materials, and libraries. Using SPSS techniques, the gathered data were quantitatively analysed. In the twelve (12) villages that were chosen for the study, the local government's agricultural development programs had little to no effect on farmers, according to the study, which found no causal link between local government and rural development and social infrastructures. The result obtained on Local Government Agricultural Development Programme on farm infrastructure, farm output, farm asset and technology dimensions showed that the programmes were not well monitored and farmer’s awareness was very poor. Within the study area, there is a very high degree of variation. A drastic shift in policy is necessary to address the issue of gap closing, while the programmes do not target the original farmers. Sustainable local government agricultural development programmes is unlikely to occur without serious attention from the government.
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