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Sustainable rural development in Sokoto State, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Cridland Wendy,
Adeniyi Peter,
Bullock Ronald,
Mitchell Bruce
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
natural resources forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1477-8947
pISSN - 0165-0203
DOI - 10.1111/j.1477-8947.1995.tb00610.x
Subject(s) - business , sustainability , government (linguistics) , economic growth , agency (philosophy) , sustainable development , environmental planning , agriculture , population , rural development , economics , geography , political science , environmental health , medicine , ecology , philosophy , linguistics , archaeology , epistemology , law , biology
In Nigeria, as in most countries, institutional barriers to successful rural development exist and need to be addressed. In Sokoto State, a variable and unpredictable Sahelian climate in combination with conditions of high population growth, low levels of income, and environmental degradation, create and intensify institutional challenges. This study examines the sustainability of government initiatives regarding the provision of agricultural inputs, assistance and extension services to farmers, and the extent to which agency efforts are coordinated and integrated, particularly regarding water management. In some cases, rural development agencies demonstrated the capability to meet the needs of the people. Some farmers were satisfied with government assistance and in some areas the tube well programme was quite successful. Yet in Sokoto State many institutional barriers to sustainable rural development exist and need to be addressed. In general, implementation strategies and management procedures appeared narrowly focused and placed little emphasis on coordination and integration among rural development agencies. The result was often inappropriate overlap or oversights in activities .