Gender Analysis of Credit Access and Repayment of Bank of Agriculture's Loan Scheme by Livestock Farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Gender issues have dominated the agricultural development and economic reform policies of several developing countries due to the increasing contributions of women to agriculture, despite their wide disparities in access to agricultural production resources. This study analyzes gender differences in credit access and repayment among livestock farmers who were beneficiaries of the Bank of Agriculture’s loan scheme in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire administered to 140 livestock farmers (70 males and 70 females) through a multi-stage sampling method and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, Z-tests and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed a mean age of educational attainment, farming experience and household size of 40.8 years, 12 years and 4 persons, respectively. The majority of respondents (67.8%) were married, with about 69.3% being cooperative members. Male livestock farmers provided more collateral (92.9%) than females (85.7%) and were also more likely to be cooperative members (71.4%) compared to females (61%). Findings further showed that, of a total sum of ₦26,376,500 accessed, male farmers accessed ₦16,300,000 than female farmers (₦10,100,200). Also, of the total amount of ₦21,641,262 that was repaid, women repaid more (₦9,600,100) than men (₦12,044,162). The repayment rates were 73.99% and 95.5% for male and female farmers, respectively. The findings also showed a significant difference in the mean amounts accessed and repaid by male and female respondents at the p > 0.01 significance level. The results further showed that the amount of credit accessed was positively influenced by educational attainment (p > 0.05), monthly income (p > 0.01) and possession of collateral (p > 0.05), but negatively influenced by household size (p > 0.05). The findings also showed that loan repayment was positively influenced by educational attainment (p > 0.1), monthly income (p > 0.01), loan amount collected (p > 0.01) and possession of collateral (p > 0.05), and negatively influenced by household size (p > 0.05). Based on these findings, policies that boost educational attainment, increase monthly income, encourage membership in farmers’ unions and promote equal access to credit for female livestock farmers are recommended.