ASSESSMENT OF COWPEA FARMERS ACCESS AND USE OF MICRO CREDIT FACILITIES IN RANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KANO STATE

This study, titled Assessment of Cowpea Farmers’ Access and Use of Micro-credit Facilities in Rano Local Government Area, Kano State, examined how Cowpea farmers access and use Micro-credit and its effect on productivity and income. The research was conducted in Rano LGA, a major Cowpea-producing area. Seventy-seven farmers were randomly selected from eleven wards, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Findings showed most farmers were aged 31–50 years, 72.7% were married, and 83.1% belonged to cooperatives, which facilitated access to Micro-credit. About 54.5% accessed credit, mainly through cooperatives (83.3%), using loans for improved seeds (92.9%) and fertilizers (88.1%). Access to Micro-credit positively influenced productivity and income, with over 90% reporting increased output and earnings. Key constraints included lack of information (58.4%), complex procedures (49.4%), and high interest rates (39.0%). The study concludes that Micro-credit enhances Cowpea farmers’ productivity and economic empowerment. It recommends strengthening cooperatives, simplifying loan processes, providing financial literacy training, and offering flexible loan products aligned with farming cycles to improve financial inclusion and sustainable agricultural growth.