Spatial Aspects of the Allocation of Government Agricultural Aid

Interdivisional variations in the receipt of government agricultural aid are analysed for Kwara State of Nigeria. Indicators based on the standard score additive model are compiled, incorporating five elements of aid: machinery provision; personnel; land development; agricultural credit; and other inputs and services. The problem of establishing criteria against which the distribution of such aid may be evaluated is discussed, in the absence of any official policy guidelines on the matter. As a result the distribution is analysed in relation to both the population and the total land area of each division within the state. Spatial variations are revealed between areas in terms of the aid they receive, and between the individual elements of aid. Inconsistencies in the patterns of aid allocation are investigated and discussed. A possible lack of spatial awareness on the part of agricultural planners is highlighted. Spatial aspects of government agricultural policy have been examined by geographers from a variety of standpoints. The nature of such policies and the rationale behind them vary nationally and internationally, but geographical interest has primarily focused less on the policies themselves than on their implications. Thus, the distribution of particular agricultural enterprises has often been interpreted largely in terms of government policy. The changing distribution of dairying in England and Wales in relation to the policies of the Milk Marketing Board provides a relevant example (Chisholm, 1962). Frequently, however, government policies are designed more with general economic, social or even political objectives in mind, and the specific land-use changes which they engender are of secondary importance. Therefore the policies such as those currently operative in the European Economic Community, for example (Bowler, 1976), should be evaluated in relation to the socio- economic benefits they provide for the inhabitants of the areas to which they are directed, rather than in terms of the agricultural changes they bring about. A further characteristic of geographical interest in agricultural policies has been the preoccupation with developed countries. Various reasons may be cited for this. In many developing countries agricultural aid may originate from international bodies, and in the past this has often been steered towards large-scale prestige projects. The available literature reflects the predominance of this type of aid (e.g. Baldwin, 1957; Briggs, 1978; Rogge, 1977). Further factors have reduced the attractiveness of many developing countries for students of the effects of agricultural policy. Rural and agricultural development has frequently had to take second place to more prestigious urban and industrial schemes. Thus, the level of aid to the former has often been disproportionate to the problems which it has been expected to alleviate. Finally, the lack of documented data and the difficulties of their collection have precluded many judgements on the spatial implications of policy. It is the intention of this paper to focus on government aid to agriculture in part of a developing country, Kwara State

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