IMPACT OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF ETSAKO CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE)

ABSTRACT This study examined the Impact of Poverty Alleviation Programme in Rural Development. The aim of the study was to identify the barriers and challenges mitigating poverty alleviation programmes in rural development and assess the impact of such programmes on job creation in Etsako Central Local Government Area. The primary sources of data collection, including personal interviews and questionnaires, were used to gather relevant information. Simple percentage was used to analyze the data obtained, while the chi-square statistical tool was employed to test the hypotheses formulated. Findings revealed that barriers and challenges do not significantly mitigate poverty alleviation programmes in rural development, that poverty alleviation programmes have significant impacts on poverty reduction, and that such programmes contribute meaningfully to economic development in Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State. The study concluded that poverty remains one of the major global issues today, posing severe economic and social consequences in Nigeria. Although several administrations have initiated various policy responses to address this menace, poverty continues to undermine national development. The study recommended that government should adopt pragmatic policies such as granting soft loans to small business owners, creating free apprenticeship programmes for rural dwellers, and establishing more vocational training centres. It also suggested that government should tackle societal barriers like economic inequality, ethno-religious conflicts, and corruption, as these remain obstacles to effective poverty alleviation efforts.