ABSTRACT

The study determined access to credit and repayment potentials among male and female poultry farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 120 (each of 60 male and 60 female) poultry farmers were selected for the study through a multi-stage sampling technique while a structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents to elicit the necessary data. The objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of male and female poultry farmers, examine the level of access to credit among male and female poultry farmers, describe the structure and pattern of credit use among male and female poultry farmers, estimate the factors influencing credit access among male and female poultry farmers, determine the factors influencing credit repayment potentials among male and female poultry farmers, determine the differences in credit repayment among male and female poultry farmers, identify the problems encountered in accessing credit among male and female poultry farmers. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (tables, means, frequencies and percentages) as well as econometric tools (Logit, probit and z-test models). The results of the study indicated that females had higher credit demand than males while they (females) received less and repaid higher than their male counterparts. The probit regression model results showed that age, interest rate, livestock size, cooperatives participation, years of education, extension contact, household size and off-farm income were predictors of credit access. Similarly, farmers’ education, credit release, off-farm income, amount of credit received, interest rate, supervisory visits, repayment period and livestock size are also predictors of credit repayment potentials. Test of differences showed that mean credit demanded, received and repaid by the male and female poultry farmers were statistically significant at 1%. High interest rate was the major problem faced by both male and female poultry farmers in accessing credits. Delay in approval was ranked second by the male poultry farmers while high collateral was second for the females. Discriminating interest rate that will be borrower’s friendly should be introduced by agricultural credit providers to encourage poultry farmers to obtain more credits. Credit institution should endeavuor to release or disburse credit to farmers on time, this will enable farmers to repay their credit as at when due. Guarantors should try to be confident to help female farmers acquire credit since they have high repayment ability, therefore are deemed creditworthy. Government agencies and financial institutions should consider credits that are gender sensitive (male and female) which will bring equality in credit access among male and female poultry farmers.