The study examined rural development programmes of UNDP among women in Akoko North East LGA, Ondo State. Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and Interview schedule were employed to gather data from respondents. Random sampling was used to select eighty respondents. The data received were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that majority (62.5%) of the respondents were aware of rural development programme of UNDP. The study further showed that poor rural infrastructures (45%), rural electrification, inconsistency in redeeming pledges by donor agency and elite/political interference were factors hindering the programme from achieving its objective of alleviating poverty in the rural communities. Chi-square analysis shows that there was divergent perception of benefit among the beneficiaries. The study therefore recommended among others strict adherence to promise, and avoidance of involvement of rural elite in rural development programme since they are capable of diverting deliverables thereby entrenching poverty among the vulnerable ones.
Keywords: Poverty Reduction, Rural Communities, Schemes, UNDP, Women
