Abstract
This study investigated the degree of agricultural mechanization index on the performance of farm settlement schemes in Nigeria. Seven farm settlements were selected for this study. Farm mechanization index of the farm settlements was determined and subjected to SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to ascertain their internal strengths, weaknesses, external opportunities and threats confronting farm settlements. Results of the farm mechanization index obtained for each of the farm settlement were 53.6% for Ilora, 56.2% for Akufo, 47.8% for Ogbomosho, 53.6% for Ijaye, 47.7% for Iresa-Adu, 51.6% for Esa-Oke and 43.2% for Iyin-Ekiti. This study revealed that farm mechanization is at semi-mechanized level on the farm settlements and the SWOT analysis indicated that farmers have potential strengths with training facilities, variable climatic conditions (adequate rainfall and soil resources) and purchase of agricultural inputs from cooperative societies but their potential weakness are due to low level of educational background, lack of basic infrastructural facilities and lack of guarantee farm level prices and ready markets for their products in order to maximize profits. The external opportunities lie on the growth of agro allied industries and employment opportunities among young graduates, while external threats are inconsistencies in agricultural policies and lack of adequate insurance policy on crop failure. Hence, failure of farm settlements in Nigeria is subjected to lack of funds at research and operational stage of the project, inappropriate measure of farm mechanization and lack of competent skilled men in the area of implementation, maintenance of farm machinery and equipment which was plague with political internal operating problem.
Key Words: Farm settlements, Mechanization index, Performance, Evaluation, Nigeria
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