ANALYSIS OF GENDER ACCESSIBILITY OF CREDIT BY SMALLHOLDER CASSAVA FARMERS IN AFIKPO-NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the gender accessibility of credit by smallholder cassava farmers in Afikpo North Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.  A multistage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 smallholder cassava farmers used as sample size.  Data were collected using questionnaires and interview schedule.  Data collected were analysed using both descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis.  From the analysis, it was observed that explanatory variables as gender, age and marital status were statistically significant at 5% and 10% as having strong effect on the amount of loan obtained by the smallholder cassava farmers.  The goodness of fit was justified by the coefficient of determination R² which stood at 48%.  It was equally observed that most of farmers (male 35% and female 25%) accessed credit through informal means (Cooperative Societies/Isusu). Again, male farmers have been noted to have higher access to credit than female farmers due to their ability to present collateral.  Furthermore, the study revealed that lack of collateral, high interest rate, delay in accessing credit, and inability of the farmers to get sureties for the loan are the most constraining factors in accessing credit by the smallholder cassava farmers.  Based on the finding, the study recommended for proper education of the farmers on the need to access credit through Micro-Finance Banks and Nigerian Agricultural, Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) where credit can be obtained at a low interest rate.  Again, farmers should form cooperative societies as an easier way of accessing agricultural credits.