Sources and uses of microcredit in poverty alleviation among fish farmers in Osun state, Nigeria. (Special Issue: The future of fisheries in a changing global climate.)

摘要

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production systems in the world, Nigeria inclusive with the bulk of its output currently being produced within developing countries and with expectations for aquaculture sustainable food security and poverty alleviation. However, poverty which is a social condition characterised by the inadequacy of access to basic human needs for the maintenance and socially acceptable minimum standards of living is still prevalent. One of the major obstacles to achieving the objectives of poverty reduction through aquaculture is the inadequate credit facilities to boost production. The study therefore, investigated the sources and uses of microcredit in poverty alleviation among fish farmers in Osun state, Nigeria. A two stage random technique was used to select 135 respondents from the three Osun state Agricultural Development Programme (ADPs) zones. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, microcredit sources and use, occupational, income and fish production data. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, FGT and logit model. The result shows that both formal and informal microcredit sources were used in the area studied with high interest rate militating against the adequate use of some of the microcredit sources. Poverty alleviation through microcredit use will increase efficiency through the use of modern effective and efficient technology leading to greater production. The policies aimed at making microcredit readily available should be focused on to alleviate poverty among fish farmers.Digital Object Identifier http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/jfas.2013.154.159