Impact of the anchor borrowers’ programme on rice production among smallholder farmers in Garun Mallam Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria (2015–2023)

This study examined the impact of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) on rice production among smallholder farmers in Garun Mallam Local Government Area (LGA), Kano State, Nigeria, from 2015 to 2023. The study specifically assessed the programme’s influence on rice output, its contribution to increased rice production, differences in production between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, changes in cultivated land size, and perceived changes in rice output following the programme’s implementation. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The study population comprised 4,244 ABP beneficiary farmers, as well as relevant stakeholders from government agencies, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), and the Bank of Agriculture. A sample of 353 farmers was selected using Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling approach, while 15 key stakeholders were purposively selected for interviews. Of the 353 questionnaires administered, 345 were returned and analyzed, representing a response rate of approximately 97.7%. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze the quantitative data, while interview responses provided supplementary qualitative insights. The findings revealed that 87.1% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the ABP positively influenced rice production, while 91.8% agreed or strongly agreed that the programme increased total rice output. Furthermore, 72.2% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that programme beneficiaries experienced higher rice production than non-beneficiaries. Regarding cultivated land, 93.0% agreed or strongly agreed that the programme contributed to an increase in the size of farmland used for rice cultivation. In addition, 87.2% of respondents reported high or very high changes in rice production following the programme’s implementation. Interview findings also suggested that access to agricultural inputs, financial support, and opportunities for dry-season farming contributed to increased rice production. However, challenges such as delays in the delivery of inputs, inadequate input quality, loan approval delays, and excessive administrative charges were identified. The study concludes that the ABP was perceived by most respondents to have contributed to increased rice production and expanded cultivated land in the study area. It recommends timely disbursement of agricultural credit, improved quality control and distribution of farm inputs, and stronger monitoring of programme implementation.