Assessment of Effectiveness of Conditionalcash Transfer as a Tool for Improving Food Production in Ondo State

Abstract

Poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition persist as major challenges in Nigeria, with Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes increasingly deployed as social protection mechanisms. This study examined the perceived influence of CCT on food production and dietary diversity among smallholder farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria, while also identifying programme challenges. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 180 CCT beneficiaries in Akure through structured questionnaires. Results revealed that while CCT provided short-term income relief, its impact on food production and dietary diversity was limited. Respondents reported poor access to quality inputs, inadequate irrigation, limited government support, weak market linkages, and low nutritional awareness. Dietary outcomes were similarly constrained, with low availability of protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. Challenges with the programme included delayed payments, insufficient transfer amounts, difficulty in accessing collection points, and inadequate information flow. These findings suggest that while CCT mitigates immediate household vulnerabilities, systemic and operational barriers hinder its transformative potential. The study concludes that complementary interventions in agricultural support, infrastructure, and nutrition education are needed to strengthen CCT’s effectiveness. It recommends policy adjustments to address delays, enhance transfer adequacy, digitize disbursement, and integrate nutrition-sensitive agricultural initiatives for sustainable food security.