This study was carried out to examine the characteristics of the Special
Crop Production Programme of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture,
Makurdi and highlight the emerging policy issues. Primary data were
collected through structured questionnaire from 120 respondents who
were randomly selected. Analysis of data was carried out using
percentages and mean scores. Results showed that, procurement and
distribution of inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer and herbicides) were
insufficient and untimely provided. The situation forced farmers to acquire
most of their input from the open market at exorbitant prices. Farmers
were not involved in the planning of the programme and the extension
personnel attached to the programme were not sufficient for effective
delivery of extension services to farmers. The recommendations are that
policy should be put in place to ensure early procurement and distribution
of inputs at affordable prices, organize farmers into farmers associations
and co-operatives to help pool farm lands, input procurement, and access
to the use of machinery and providing market outlets for disposing
farmers’ outputs. This way a veritable extension policy for crop production
will be ensured in Nigeria.