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
Access to timely and affordable institutional credit is essential for enabling smallholder farmers to meet production costs, adopt improved agricultural practices, and strengthen farm-based livelihoods. The Kisan Credit Card scheme was introduced to provide flexible credit support for agricultural and allied activities; however, evidence on its utilisation and income implications in Manipur remains limited. The study examined the utilisation pattern of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and income generation among smallholder farmers in the valley areas of Manipur, India. Four districts were selected purposively, and primary data were collected from 400 respondents, comprising 200 KCC beneficiaries and 200 non-beneficiaries. Descriptive statistics, the Gini concentration ratio, the Lorenz curve, and the Garrett ranking technique were used for analysis. Beneficiary farmers recorded an average rice yield of 5,085.70 kg per hectare and gross income of ₹1,37,314 per hectare, compared with 3,993.26 kg per hectare and ₹1,07,818 per hectare among non-beneficiaries. Average household earnings from winter and summer crops were ₹26,124 for beneficiaries and ₹18,605 for non-beneficiaries, while earnings from livestock and fishery were ₹1,01,163 and ₹86,763, respectively. The Gini concentration ratio was 0.65 for beneficiaries and 0.86 for non-beneficiaries, indicating comparatively more uniform income distribution among beneficiaries. The largest average KCC loan amount was received for piggery enterprises, followed by fishery and rice cultivation. For rice production, the greatest expenditure was incurred on land preparation, harvesting and threshing, weeding, and fertiliser purchases. Inadequate loan amounts, lack of insurance coverage, distant bank locations, and delayed disbursement were major constraints among beneficiaries. Lack of awareness and limited knowledge of the banking system were prominent barriers among non-beneficiaries.
Kh. Rishikanta Singh, R. Yogi, N. Umakanta et al.· Journal of Experimental Agri...· 0 citations
The Indian livestock sector has emerged as a resilient and rapidly expanding engine of agricultural growth, with its contribution to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) rising from 24.3% in 2014-15 to over 30.3% in 2022-23. Despite maintaining some of the largest populations of livestock globally, production remains heavily fragmented, dominated by smallholder and marginal farmers who face structural inefficiencies, high input costs, and weak market integration. Collectivization through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) represents an innovative institutional mechanism designed to bridge these gaps. This paper reviews the current landscape, structural constraints, operational modalities, and socio-economic impacts of livestock-based FPOs in India, with a specific focus on regional dynamics within Maharashtra. Case studies demonstrate that integrating smallholders into organized FPO frameworks lowers production costs, secures market linkages, mitigates risk, and promotes inclusive rural empowerment.
Keywords: Farmer Producer Organizations, Livestock Sector, Smallholder Farmers, Value Chain Integration, Maharashtra.
Shreyash B Sutar, U. Gaikwad, D. Deokar et al.· International Journal of Cre...· 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
Background: Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) are economic entities owned by smallholders that amalgamate resources, enhance market access and offer technical and marketing services in India. They have significant potential for participation in the economic and social welfare of smallholders. However, empirical evidence from northeastern hill states, particularly Tripura, remains scarce. This case study examines the impact of FPOs on smallholder livelihood development in the fruits and vegetables supply chain of Tripura. Methods: A qualitative case study was used, including interviews with government officials (BDOs, ADOs, Directors) and primary data from 12 FPOs engaged in fruit and vegetable production. Collected information was analysed thematically. Result: Four major thematic constraints emerged: (1) infrastructure deficits - non-operational cold chains and non-contiguous farmland limiting cluster benefits; (2) financial exclusion - most farmers rely on Kisan Credit Cards with limited institutional credit access; (3) governance weaknesses – leadership and management skill gaps; and (4) social barriers - scepticism toward collective action and individualistic cultural norms. However, FPOs have partially reduced their dependence on intermediaries through joint marketing and increased bargaining power.
Background
: Banana smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa rely heavily on banana farming for both food and income generation. Despite the crop’s potential, smallholder farmers have limited knowledge of improved banana varieties, as well as harvesting, processing, storage technologies, exhibit low participation in farmers’ associations and cooperatives, alongside limited access to credit. Therefore, there was a need for this study. The study examined the determinants of income, savings, access to credit, asset ownership, and food access among banana smallholder farmers in Meru and Moshi Rural Districts, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the levels of livelihood outcomes and to analyse the socio-economic factors influencing livelihood outcomes among banana smallholder farmers.
Methods:
The survey employed a cross-sectional study design and interviewed a total number of 352 banana smallholder farmers in Meru District Council and Moshi Rural District in Tanzania. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, a composite Livelihood Outcome Index (LOI), and a multivariate probit (MVP) model.
Results
: The descriptive results found, low, moderate, and high livelihood outcomes have been attained by 47%, 34%, and 18% of smallholder banana growers, respectively. The results from MVP model revealed that educational levels assisted in asset accumulation (β = 0.109, p < 0.10), households with higher incomes used mobile phones (β = 0.151, p < 0.10), cooperative membership significantly increased business income (β = 0.289, p < 0.05), households engaged in non-farm business activities were more likely to have higher business income (β = 0.263, p < 0.10), livestock ownership had a significant contribution to household savings (β = 0.288, p < 0.05), and greater distance from markets reduced the likelihood of mobile phone use (β = −0.107, p < 0.10). Conclusion and recommendations: The study concludes that household socio-economic features are most important for improving the livelihood outcomes of banana smallholder farmers. The research recommends that banana smallholder farmers should engage in livestock rearing and membership in cooperatives so that they can improve sales of bananas, access credit, improve mobile use, accumulate asset, and enhance food security, rather than depending on banana farming alone. Finally, the study recommends that government investments in rural infrastructure, particularly road networks, market facilities, and telecommunications infrastructure, should be prioritized to reduce the constraints associated with market distance.
G. Kinisa, Gervas M. Machimu, W. Warsanga· CABI Agriculture and Bioscie...· 0 citations
