Effectiveness of the Anchor Borrower’s Programme on the Livelihood of Rice Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) on the livelihood of rice farmers in Anambra state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 80 respondents. With the aid of a questionnaire, data were collected on effect of ABP on rice farmers’ productivity, perceived effect of ABP on the farmers’ standard of living, effectiveness of ABP on their livelihood, and problems encountered by the ABP beneficiaries in accessing the programme. Collected data were analysed using percentages and mean and hypothesis tested using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. Results show that the ABP had marginal impact (x̄ = 2.52) on the productivity of the farmers, with input supplies having most significant impact. The effect of ABP on the farmers’ standard of living was high (x̄ = 2.62), and the beneficiaries perceived the ABP to be effective (x̄ = 3.75) in line with all the objectives of the programme. The result also shows that the beneficiaries encountered severe constraints such as; Lack of adequate training (x̄ = 3.75), lack of proper supervision (x̄ = 3.68) among others, and further revealed that there is a significant relationship between the constraints faced by the farmers and the effect of the programme on their productivity. The study concludes that though the programme was rated high in its effectiveness, this could not translate to increased productivity for the rice farmers. It therefore recommends improving the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme by enhancing monitoring, ensuring timely and adequate input distribution, and fully implementing all project components such as training.

Keywords: Anchor Borrower, Beneficiaries, Effectiveness