IMPACT DEVELOPMENT EXCHANGE CENTRE MICROCREDIT PROGRAMME ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG WOMEN FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Grassroots development can only be achieved through collective efforts of stakeholders in alleviating poverty among rural women. Development Exchange Centre (DEC) is a typical agent of grassroots development. This study assessed the impact of Development Exchange Centre microcredit programme on poverty alleviation among women farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in three local government areas of Kaduna State (Sabon-Gari, Kaduna-South, and Jema’a). The study involved a simple random sampling selection of three Local Government Area and purposive selection of two communities from each of selected LGAs. This selection was based on the intensity and concentration of DEC microcredit activities in the study area. Four hundred and twenty (420) respondents comprising two hundred and ten (210) participants and non-participants were randomly selected for the study . primary data were collected through validated structured interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The result of the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) Poverty model revealed that the incidence poverty among of participants show 0.04 representing 4% were poor while 0.9% representing 96% of the participants were non-poor. The result of the study reveal that DEC microcredit made a significant impact on poverty alleviation among the participants in the areas of poverty status (t=16.26, P≤.01), income (t=28.28, P≤ .01), crops output (t=14.74, P≤ .01), crops yield (t=12.14, P≤ .01) and level of living (t=28.28, P≤ .01). Chow test result show that poverty status, income, crop output and level of living of the participants. It is thus recommended that, increase in access to credit by the farmers; Access to farm inputs at subsidized rate and the need for partnership with governments; private sectors; international donors, and philanthropy organizations; toward making reasonable contributions in poverty alleviation among rural women.