Abstract:
IFAD intervention programmes are tailored towards the seeming problems of poverty
through increased domestic savings and investments. There is no gainsaying the fact that the literature is
complete on various policy mix that could usher in the much desired economic development especially in
developing economies. Since the mid 80’s, IFAD has been involved directly in development programmes
of LDCs, but to what extent have these programmes impacted on some of the major or key indicators of
economic development such as literacy level, income generation, life expectancy, infant mortality
amongst others, hence the need to examine the impact of IFAD programmes on these variables.
Secondary data were sourced and analyzed using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). The major findings
of the study showed that the long-run determinants of economic development; measured by per capita
income, are largely from IFAD funded project inputs in Nigeria (IFPN) and life expectancy in Nigeria
(LERN). Literacy rate proxied by total enrolment in primary education regardless of age and expressed
as a percentage of the population of official primary education age have negative coefficient and results
in -0.382% change in economic development in the long run. Similarly, the coefficient of infant mortality
rate in Nigeria measured by 1000 live births is indirectly related to economic development. It is against
this background, that the study recommended increase funding of agricultural activities and rural savings
mobilization, and by extension promotes development through increasing the volume and productivity of
human capital as result improvement in life expectancy.
