FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AMONG FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETY'S MEMBERS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of agricultural credits access among members of farmers’ multipurpose cooperative societies in Anambra state. The Specific Objectives of the study is to investigate the effect of educational background of cooperative farmers in accessing agricultural credit in Anambra state and to analyzed the  size of farm land of cooperative farmers  and its effect in accessing  agricultural credit in Anambra state, In line with the above objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. This study was particularly anchored on the social exchange theory. It was carried out in three agricultural zones in Anambra state, Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to arrive at a sample size of twenty four cooperative societies with membership strength of 286 farmers as sample size. The instrument for data collection was a set of structured questionnaire on a 5-point likert-scale Data was analyzed using the multiple regression models. Model results indicated that Educational background of members of farmers multipurpose cooperatives significantly (3.00), t (285) = 23.98, 13.13 and 20.63; and p-values = .000have effect on agricultural credit access and Farmland size significantly (3.00), t(285) = 13.01, 4.88and 12.91; and p-values = 0.000, respectively have effect on agricultural credit access. In line with the findings of this study, it is recommended that there should be a deliberate policy aimed at providing free educative seminars to all illiterate farmers to teach them possible ways and methods of acquiring as well as proper utilization of agricultural credit. Good Policies on land redistribution should be made to make more land available to cooperative farmers, especially the experienced farmers