AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SAVINGS AND CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KANO STATE: A CASE STUDY OF TUDUNWADA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ABSTRACT This study assesses the impact of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) on agricultural development in Tudunwada Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of SACCOS members, compare their social and economic conditions before and after joining SACCOS, identify factors influencing participation levels, and describe the challenges faced by SACCOS members. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from a sample of SACCOS members and analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis.The findings reveal that most members experienced significant improvements in income levels, access to credit, and agricultural productivity after joining SACCOS. Age, education level, and farm size were found to significantly influence participation, with younger, more educated farmers being more likely to join and actively participate in cooperative activities. Major constraints faced by members included limited access to adequate funding, delays in loan processing, and high interest rates.The study concludes that SACCOS plays a crucial role in promoting agricultural development by enhancing access to financial resources and improving members' livelihoods. Recommendations include increasing support for cooperative societies, providing training programs for members, and improving access to capital to address the challenges faced. Further research is suggested to explore the long-term impacts of SACCOS participation on agricultural sustainability.