Poverty has conceptual diversity as opined by World Bank (2000/2001), Robb (2002),
Chambers (1983), Obinne (1998), Olayemi and Olayide (1977), Ayoola et.al. (2001) and UNDP
(1994). The general consensus is that absolutely, poverty is a living condition in which a person
or group of persons are unable to satisfy most basic and elementary requirement for human
survival in terms of good nutrition, clothing, shelter, foot wear, energy, transport, health,
education and recreation. These characteristics of poverty differ from one social group to
another, geographically, politically, economically and must be stemmed through measures of
poverty alleviation. Poverty alleviation according to Ater (2003), is sustainable productive
capacity for goods and services as a measurable output value, that generates income sufficient
for decent food, shelter, clothing and life quality generally. According to World Bank
(2000/2001), three quarters of the poor in sub-saharan Africa lack this capacity, they live, work
in the rural areas and depend mainly on farming or farm labour for their sustenance. In addition,
livelihood improvement interventions have yielded lesser impressive results in the typically rural
communities compared to the semi urban-communities. Nigeria is still ranked among the poorest
nations in the sub-saharan Africa. The middle Belt where Benue State lies in Nigeria accounts
for 19 percent of the population; 21% of the poor and 22% of the extreme poor World Bank 3
(1996b). Poverty level in Benue State is regarded severe, widespread and multi-dimensional
requiring aggressive mitigative measures (F.O.S, 2001).