EFFECT OF ANCHOR BORROWERS’ PROGRAMME ON RICE PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of Anchor Borrowers’ Programme on rice production in Southeast, Nigeria. Specifically, ascertained the output of rice of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of Anchor Borrowers, determined the income of rice of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries and determine the constraints to rice farmers’ participation in Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. Multi-stage sampling procedures were used to select a sample size of two hundred and forty rice farmers, comprising 120 non-beneficiaries and 120 beneficiaries of ABP for the study. Data were collected through interview schedule/questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive (such as frequencies, percentages and mean) and inferential statistics such Z-test. The findings showed an average output of 62.6bags (3130Kg) for beneficiaries and 48.5bags (2425Kg) for non-beneficiaries of ABP. The z-test result showed a significant difference in the farm output of beneficiaries (x?= 62.616bags) and non-beneficiaries (x?=48.541bags) of ABP. The study concluded that ABP had positive effect on rice production in Southeast, Nigeria since the beneficiaries of the programme had higher output than the non-beneficiaries. Poor administration/complex protocol (x?=3.0), insufficient/ unavailability of land (x?=3.1), long bureaucratic procedures (x?=3.29), delay in loan disbursement (x?=3.39) and high cost of labour (x?=3.2) were the most severe constraints faced by rice farmers in southeast, Nigeria. Constraints faced by non-beneficiaries of ABP include (x?=3.36), limited awareness (x?=3.62), insufficient/unavailability of land (x?=3.37) and lack of incentives (x?=3.75). Therefore, the study recommended that the awareness of the ABP should be heightened to increase the number of beneficiaries in southeast and across the nation; this will help to boost the agricultural subsector, and in the long-run ensures food security for the nation and also reduce importation which is one of the objectives of ABP. The loan should be disbursed early to ensure timely planting.