Aug 2026· Nepalese Journal of Agricultural Sciences· Vol 31, pp. 27-40· 0 citations
Abstract
Agriculture remains one of the key sectors in Nepal's economy. However, many farmers struggle to access formal credit to enhance their farm productivity and sustainability. This study assessed farmers’ access to formal credit in Kathmandu Valley and identified the main barriers limiting its use. A sample of 105 farmers from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts was selected using stratified sampling, based on the proportion of farmers in each district. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. The results showed that although 70% of the farmers reported awareness of formal credit institutions, only 27% of them had successfully accessed credit. Among those who accessed credit, most relied on commercial banks and cooperatives with little assistance during the application process. The most significant barriers were long processing times and strict collateral requirements, while high interest was surprisingly not seen as a major issue, possibly due to more pressing concerns. The findings highlight the need to simplify credit procedures, reduce collateral requirements, and provide better guidance and awareness programs for farmers. Addressing these issues is essential for improving financial inclusion and supporting the agricultural sector in Kathmandu Valley.
Credit access is a critical enabler of livelihood diversification among rural households, particularly in resource-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions like northern Nigeria. This study examined the extent of credit access, major constraints, and their influence on livelihood diversification among 450 smallholder farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Data were collected through a multistage sampling procedure and analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logit regression, and the Simpson Diversification Index. Results revealed that respondents were predominantly male (81.1%), married, and middle-aged, with small landholdings and low monthly incomes. Farming remained the dominant livelihood activity, supplemented by livestock, poultry, and petty trading. Formal credit access was limited (31.8%), with most households relying on informal sources such as friends and relatives. The primary constraints to diversification were limited access to credit, high startup costs, and high input prices. Binary logit and other regression analyses confirmed that financial exclusion significantly hinders diversification efforts. The study concludes that financial exclusion remains the main structural barrier to livelihood diversification. It recommends expanded rural credit delivery, reduced borrowing costs, strengthened cooperative financing, and enterprise support programs to enhance household resilience and welfare in Kano State.
F. Abdulwahab, S. Abdullahi, M. Garba et al.· African Journal of Sustainab...· 0 citations
The agriculture sector is the backbone of a country. However, this sector receives limited loan disbursement from commercial banks. In this context, the present study aims to explore the experiences of farmers utilizing agricultural credit and the challenges they face during the loan acquisition process. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study carried out in-depth interviews with seven farmers of Nepal. The findings reveal that farmers face challenges stemming from limited financial awareness and procedural hurdles. Additional difficulties include struggles with loan acquisition and repayment, family misunderstandings regarding using credit for farming, and obstacles in optimizing loanable funds within the broader context of credit management, project extension, technology transfer, and the creation of value chains through circular linkages. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners in designing rational and impactful agricultural credit policies to promote sustainable farming in Nepal by highlighting the key hurdles farmers face in accessing agricultural loans.
Yam Lal Bhoosal, B. Shrestha, Prakash C Bhattarai et al.· Journal of Management and De...· 0 citations
This study assesses farmers' access to credit, their utilization patterns, and the impact on farm income. Data were collected in 2024 by interviewing 150 randomly selected farmers from Thakre rural municipality of Dhading and analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, and a weighted priority index. About 67% of sampled households accessed credits, of which only 47% used the funds exclusively for agricultural activities. Of the 67% who borrowed, 44% accessed formal credit sources, implying that the remaining 56% relied entirely on informal channels. The independent t-test shows that credit receivers have a significantly higher annual farm income (NRs. 536,231/HH) than that of non-receivers (NRs. 372,071/HH) at a highly significant level (p = 0.0001). Easier access to formal credit will substitute costly informal credit to enhance farm productivity and income. Therefore, implementing effective regulatory frameworks and strict monitoring is crucial to remove structural and procedural barriers, thereby enhancing proper credit access and utilization.
H. K. Panta, Niruta Shrestha, R. B. Shrestha et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations
Despite being an important food and cash crop in Nepal, commercialization of potato is limited. This study was conducted to identify the determinants of farmers’ willingness to grow potatoes on a commercial scale, as well as the encouraging and limiting factors, in Rupandehi district, Nepal. Employing a purposive random sampling, 120 farm households were selected from seven municipalities. Primary data were collected in 2025 through household surveys using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule, while Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted with selected participants. Descriptive statistics and a probit model were used for data analysis. The results revealed that farming experience, access to labor, landholding size and access to subsidy were key determinants that positively affected farmers’ willingness to commercialize potato cultivation, while age had a negative effect. Farmers reported better market access, availability of improved seeds, higher selling prices and financial support as major motivating factors for commercialization. Similarly, farmers reported risks of crop failure, lack of capital, small landholdings and unstable prices as major barriers. Thus, the study highlights the need for targeted policy actions such as providing timely access to quality inputs, expanding financial support, stabilizing market prices and promoting collective approaches to address landholding issues to enhance farmers’ involvement in commercial potato production.
Kriti Bhandari, Sushmita Bhatta, B. P. Mishra· Nepalese Journal of Agricult...· 0 citations
Aims: This study examined the types of farm inputs used by arable crop farmers, assessed their level of access to key farm inputs, and analysed the determinants of input access.
Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among arable crop farmers in Rivers, Delta, and Edo States, Nigeria, from February to April 2026.
Methodology: A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 600 arable crop farmers. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis.
Results: Most respondents were female (64%) and married (66%), with a mean age of 43 years, an average household size of six persons, and mean farming experience of 15 years. About 61% had at least secondary education, while 59% belonged to cooperative societies and 52% had access to extension services. The major inputs used were hired labour (87%), fertiliser (82%), family labour (78%), herbicides (76%), and improved seeds (73%). Access was high for improved seeds (mean = 2.93) and fertiliser (mean = 3.02), but low for mechanised services (mean = 2.19), credit (mean = 2.32), and irrigation facilities (mean = 2.07). The logistic regression model was statistically significant (LR Chi-square = 148.61, p < 0.01; pseudo R² = 0.410). Education (coefficient = 0.421), farm size (coefficient = 0.563), and cooperative membership (coefficient = 0.719) positively influenced access to farm inputs, whereas distance to market had a negative effect (coefficient = -0.487).
Conclusion: Arable crop farmers in Rivers, Delta, and Edo States had relatively better access to improved seeds and fertiliser than to mechanisation, agricultural credit, and irrigation facilities. Strengthening farmer cooperatives, improving rural road and market infrastructure, expanding farmer education, and increasing access to credit, mechanisation, and irrigation services are essential for improving farm input access and agricultural productivity.
R. R. Ishaka, O. D. Ogisi, P. O. Emaziye· Journal of basic and applied...· 0 citations
Agricultural mechanization plays a critical role in improving productivity, reducing labor burdens, and strengthening food security in sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, smallholder farmers dominate agricultural production but face limited access to farm equipment due to high costs and structural market barriers. This study investigated the challenges and opportunities associated with accessing farm equipment leases from agricultural and leasing companies in Mumbwa District. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining survey data from 100 farmers with key informant interviews and focus group discussions.Findings indicate that although 60% of farmers were aware of leasing as a financing option, only 29% had accessed a lease. Major barriers included high leasing costs (M = 4.20), collateral requirements (M = 3.95), and bureaucratic procedures (M = 3.60). Logistic regression results showed that awareness, education, income, and institutional support significantly increased the likelihood of lease access, while financial constraints reduced it. The interaction between income and institutional support revealed that higher-income farmers benefited more, raising concerns about equity. Qualitative findings further highlighted distrust in leasing systems, policy inconsistencies, and limited extension services.
Liywalii Lisulo, Mwansa Mukalula-Kalumbi· British journal of multidisc...· 0 citations
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