Bank Account Ownership and Market Access of Female Smallholder Farmers in Ogun State

Agriculture being a major part of many African economies is very imperative in providing food, industrial raw materials, jobs, as well as trade opportunities. Smallholder farmers, particularly female, are crucial to this sector as their positive impact greatly enhances food security and rural development. This study evaluated the influence of bank account ownership on the market access of female smallholder farmers in Ogun State.The study employed a descriptive quantitative research design. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure 295 respondents were randomly selected from the 1,228 female smallholder farmers belonging to the female farmer organizations spread across eight LGAs of Ogun State. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that bank account ownership significantly enhanced market access among female smallholder farmers. The study concluded that financial inclusion plays a crucial role in enhancing the productivity and economic well-being of female smallholder farmers in Ogun State. It therefore recommended that financial institutions should promote savings schemes tailored to the needs of female smallholder farmers.