Income Impact of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) on Rural Households in Benue State, Nigeria

The research was carried out to determine the impact of growth enhancement support scheme on rural household income in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The study utilized random sampling techniques to arrive at total number of 120 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result estimate with F-statistics (P=0.000<0.01) revealed that variables such as farm size, level of experience, quantity of harvest, and farm income influenced the farmers participation in growth enhancement support scheme. Chow test statistics ≈38.2 ~ 𝐹(2,34)>𝐹(2,30)0.001=8.77 showed a statistical significance at 0.1 percent indicated income difference between beneficiaries and non- beneficiaries of GESS. It was concluded that GESS impacted rural household income. How? Is it negatively or otherwise Education of farmers on the importance of participating in the growth enhancement scheme and provision of basic farm implements as well as telephones will enhance their future participation and higher income.