Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 16 ISSUE 1
Written by Chioma Udo NWAOBIALA, Victoria Uchechi UBOR

The study analyzed effectiveness of e – wallet system of Growth Enhancement Scheme (GESS) distribution among arable crop farmers’ in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) registered Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) farmers. Data for the study were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Probit regression and Z–test analysis). The result revealed that a high proportion (60%) of the respondents were males, with mean ages of 49.8 years, 35.50% acquired secondary education, mean farming experience of 16.50 years, mean farm size and household size of 1.1 hectares and 9.5 persons respectively. Result showed that farmers perceived the scheme was effective ( = 2.0) by enhancing timeliness of notification ( =2.8), increases responsiveness of staff to disburse inputs ( =2.5), effective in notifying clients through SMS and ensures quality to cost effectiveness of inputs, increases responsiveness of GESS staff to certify farmer’s notification of inputs and helps in the management of clients and inputs at the redemption centre with mean ratings of 2.1. The result of Probit regression showed that coefficients for availability, quality and cooperation were significant and influenced effectiveness of e – wallet system at 1% and 5% levels of probability respectively in the study area. Location of the redemption centres, bureaucratic bottlenecks, network problems and inadequate farm inputs were challenges encountered by farmers in the scheme. The study therefore recommends formation of cooperatives, easy access to redemption centres and improved telecommunication network to enhance input delivery and effectiveness of the system.

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