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Credit Access and Poverty Alleviation among Root Crop Agripreneurs: Evidence from Umunneochi LGA, Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study examined the effect of credit on the poverty status of root crop agripreneurs in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. Specifically, the study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of root crop agripreneurs; identified the sources of credit of the farmers; determined the poverty status of credit users and non-credit users; estimated the determinants of poverty status of the farmers; and ascertained the constraints faced by root crop farmers in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Primary data were used for this study and were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire and interview guide. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive (frequency count, percentages, and means) and Ordinary Least Square Regression. Results showed that the respondents were middle-aged, predominantly female, married, moderately educated, with a majority having household sizes of 4–6 persons, and 10– 29 years of farming experience. The most frequently used sources of credit were agricultural Cooperatives (75.00%), followed by Thrift/Esusu Groups (63.33%) and Microfinance Banks (53.33%). The majority (56.7%) of credit users were classified as non-poor, while a greater proportion (65.0%) of non-credit users were identified as poor. Age (p<0.01), interest rate (p<0.05), value of collateral (p<0.01), credit amount (p<0.10), education (p<0.01), farm size (p<0.01), income (p<0.01), and output (p<0.01). Inadequate access to finance (X̅ = 3.65) ranked as the most critical constraint to root crop production. Other major challenges were a lack of storage facilities (X̅ = 3.58), high cost of agrochemicals (X̅ = 3.50), pest and disease infestation (X̅ = 3.44), price fluctuations (X̅ = 3.36), scarcity of quality planting materials (X̅ = 3.22), and labour shortages (X̅ = 3.10). Since inadequate access to finance was identified as the most critical constraint to root crop production, the study recommends that government and financial institutions should strengthen rural financial services by promoting accessible and low-interest agricultural credit schemes, especially through cooperatives, thrift groups, and microfinance banks.
