Determinants of Credit Access among Smallholder Women Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined smallholder women farmers’ access to credit in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. The study specifically identified the socio- economic attributes of the rural women smallholder farmers and examined the factors determining their access to credit in the study area. A total of 120 structured questionnaires were administered to women farmers who obtained credit from different sources. Descriptive statistics and probit regression model were used in analyzing the data obtained. The probit model result revealed that significant relationship exists between age, level of education, marital status, main occupation, farming experience, farm size, collateral, interest rate and access to credit at varying probability levels. Gender differences regarding access to credit should be critically checked. Making credit accessible to women will not only boost production in agricultural sector but will also improve livelihood and reduce poverty most especially in the rural areas. The financial institutions need to address the conditions for loan acquisition especially in the area of collateral security and interest rate charged so that the less privileged women farmers can access credit to enhance their productivity.
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