ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (ADP) IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG YOUTH FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1        Background of the Study

Occurrence of poverty as a phenomenon is not strange but it is the high incidence that is worrisome. Poverty has been a strong development indicator given attention globally, with intent of reducing it to the barest minimum. In economic terms, poverty is a situation of low income or low consumption. This view is analytically useful for construction of poverty lines. (Chambers, 1995). The value of income or consumption necessary to purchase the minimum standard of nutrition and other necessities, does not tell the complete story. Poverty in real term has both income and non-income dimensions and they are usually interwoven. In this regard, poverty refers to lack of physical necessities, assets and income. It includes more than being income-poor

One of the definitions of poverty drawn from World Bank report (1990) defines poverty as “inability to achieve a minimum standard of living”. The World Bank devoted its world development report to the topic of poverty as early as 1990 (attacking poverty).

Carvalho and White (1997) established some of the possibilities for classifying poverty as:

1. establishing of the level of income necessary for a minimum standard of living in a given country.

1. observation of income distribution by means of Gini Coefficient in countries where their income is concentrated among the few, it is highly probable that many suffer wants.

1. indicator for various social aspects of human life that assist in assessment of standard of living.

ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (ADP) IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG YOUTH FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA