With the help of microcredit, a farmer’s way of life could be transformed from one of utter destitution to one of greater dignity. For the poor and disadvantaged, especially rural farmers, it unlocks potential and increases productivity and well-being. This study investigated the determinants of demand and supply of microcredit among fish farmers in Osun State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 150 fish farmers and 50 microcredit providers for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a simultaneous equation model. The result revealed that many fish farmers are males (86.5%), married (77%), and educated (95%). Simultaneous equation estimates revealed that farmers’ income, age, interest rate, and educational level determine microcredit demand among fish farmers whereas liquidity, experience in lending, and interest rate determine the microcredit supply in the study area. The findings of the study revealed that microcredit suppliers consider several factors before supplying credit to fish farmers.
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) yield is characterized by low productivity but may be increased through the adoption of new technology or the efficient allocation of existing resources. In addition, improving the level of resource allocation is important for improving productivity. This study investigated resource use efficiency in small-scale okra production. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 100 respondents. The primary data generated through the survey of 100 okra farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the ordinary least squares regression model, and marginal value analysis. The average age of the respondents was 45 years, with 7 members in the household, and 2.8ha being farmed. The ordinary least squares regression estimate indicated age, labor, farm size, and herbicide and insecticide use that influenced okra production. Returns to scale was 2.09; resource use efficiency indicated the following values: farm size 0.343, herbicide application 0.857, insecticide application 0.75, and labor 4.80. The high cost of inputs (1.93), low numbers of extension contact with farmers (1.82), high incidence of pests and disease (1.49), non-access to credit (1.39), difficulty in obtaining labor (1.23), drought (1.15), and marketing problems (1.09) are constraints negatively affecting okra production. Although the positive and statistically significant effect of pesticides, farm size, and labor indicate these inputs can effectively improve okra production, small-scale okra production is inefficient because farmers use too many pesticides and farmland and less labor than is needed. The marginal product of inputs is not enough to offset the corresponding marginal cost. Therefore, small-scale farmers should operate on smaller farms than they currently do, apply pesticides at recommended rates, and spend more on labor. So, training should be organized through extension workers and agricultural research stations to improve scientific knowledge of farmers for efficient use of productive resources.
This study investigated the impact of credit access and cooperative membership on food security of rural households in Southwestern Nigeria. A multi stage sampling procedure was employed to select 300 rural households for the study. Data were analyzed using food security index, binary logit model, propensity score matching (PSM) and Augmented inverse probability weighting model (AIPW). Binary logit estimate reveals that age, household size, years of education, farm size, farm income and non-farm income significantly influenced the likelihood of rural households being members of cooperatives while household size, years of education, farm size, gender, asset and farm income significantly influenced the likelihood of rural households’ access to credit. Food security index revealed that about 66 percent of the households are food insecure. PSM revealed that cooperative membership and credit access is expected to increase the food security of rural households by approximately 1446 and 1496 kilocalories per person per day, respectively. AIPW revealed that cooperative membership and credit access is expected to increase the food security of rural households by approximately 1888 and 1899 kilocalories per person per day, respectively. The study concluded that credit access and cooperative membership has a positive and significant impact on food security of rural households. Thus, any programmes targeted at ensuring rural households’ food security, particularly southwest should take into cognizance their credit access and cooperative membership.
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