IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL LOAN OR INTERVENTION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA ON SMALL SCALE FARMERS

Abstract

Agriculture has always been dominated by the small scale farmers who represent a substantial proportion of the total population and produce about 90-95 percent of the total agricultural output in the country prior to the advent of the oil boom. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of agricultural credit on agricultural production among small scale farmers under Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, in Gwarzo local government area. The data used is primary data obtained through administration of the structured questionnaire. In the process of achieving the objective of the study, statistical test are employed, both descriptive and inferential statistics like percentages, mode, median, and chi-square. The finding revealed that farmers income increase after the scheme as compared to before the scheme. Similarly credit facilities has impact, contributed in number ways and faced number of constrained as per the operation of small holder farmers. The government or any other financial institution which is ready to give out this facilities should make sure real farmers are those that have benefited to avoid selling of input that some who have benefit are doing, the study would have been much better if not for the limited time that have constrained the researcher.