Determinants of Agricultural Credit Access among Members of Farmers Cooperative Societies in Anambra State

Agricultural credit is believed to play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity; however, access to agricultural credit remains a major challenge to members of cooperative multipurpose farmers in Anambra state. To investigate this phenomenon, this study examined the determinants of agricultural credits access among members of farmers multipurpose cooperative societies in Anambra state. The study 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 a membership strength of 337 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 and the multiple regression models. Model results indicated that Age of farmers significantly (3.00), t (285) = 13.96, 12.65 and 2.00; and p-values = .000, .000 and .047 have effect on agricultural credit access and Farm size significantly (3.00), t(285) = 13.01, 4.88and 12.91; and p-values = .000, respectively have effect on agricultural credit access. In line with the finding of this study, it is recommended that young and vibrant youth should be encouraged to go into farming as agricultural credit will be easier for them to access when they are young rather than in their later years.