Role Of The Nigerian Agriculture And Co-operative Bank In Agricultural Financing (Problems And Prospects)
The Agriculture and Co-operative Bank plays a crucial role in fostering the agricultural sector by providing essential financial support to farmers. In the agricultural financing landscape, this institution serves as a linchpin, addressing the financial needs of farmers and agricultural enterprises. Its significance lies in mitigating the challenges faced by the agricultural community, including issues related to capital and investment. However, despite its pivotal role, there are certain challenges and prospects associated with its functioning. One of the primary problems revolves around the accessibility of financial services to small-scale farmers, limiting their ability to invest in modern agricultural practices. Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness pose obstacles to seamless financial assistance. On the brighter side, there are prospects for improvement, such as embracing technology for streamlined financial transactions and implementing tailored financial literacy programs. Balancing these challenges and prospects is imperative for the Agriculture and Co-operative Bank to effectively contribute to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
The major function of the Nigerian Agricultural, co-operative, Rural and Development Bank is provision of loans and advances to individual and corporate farmers.
However, there are series of reasons for the need for special funding towards agricultural sector. The agricultural sub-sector is saddled with peculiar risks, risks that can hardly be diversified; illiteracy and ignorance; culture; interest rate, etc
Loan defaults occur when the borrowers can not meet up the repayment of principal and interest within the maturity time stipulated by the bank. Loan defaults have continued to increase tremendously, and it forms the major discouraging factor to the NACRDB in loan or credit extension.
Furthermore, tin the course of financing agriculture the NACRDB is faced with series of problems. Such problems i9clude unsystematic risk, time lag, poor infrastructural facilities, loan diversion, slow rate of return, collateral, government policies, political instability etc.
In other to identify these problems and the measures to solve such problems, the researcher made use of the secondary sources of data as well as partly, the primary source of data.
ii Title page
iii Approval page
iv Dedication
v Acknowledgement
vi Abstract
vii Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction 1
1.1 Statement of problem 2
1.2 Rationale of study 2
1.3 Definition of term 3
CHAPTER TWO
Review of related literature 5
2.1 the concept of agricultural financing 5
2.2 Evolution of the NACB 6
2.3 Overview of the NACRDB 7
2.4 The need for Agricultural financing 9
2.5 Objective of NACRDB 11
2.6 Role of NACRDB 12
2.7 Lending Operations 14
2.8 Problems of Agricultural financing in Nigeria 15
2.9 Measures to prevent the problems of
Agricultural financing in Nigeria. 20
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Statement of Hypothesis 21
3.2 Research methodology 22
3.3 Sources of Data 23
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 24
4.1 Data presentation 24
4.2 Data Analysis 31
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 39
5.1 Summary 39
5.2 Conclusion 41
5.3 Recommendation 42
Bibliography 43
INTRODUCTION
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The role of the Nigeria Agricultural and co-operative Bank can not overemphasized. According to ugwuanyi (2002), there have been series of efforts. By the NACB in providing short, medium and long term finance to the Agricultural sector of the economy. This is aimed at making farmers to increase their problem, as well as adopting the mechanized system of farming. Anyanwu (1993) stated that it is also meant to encourage or create employment opportunity for the unemployed in the nation.
However, inspite of all the effort being made, the objective of increase in productivity can not actually be said to have been attained. Many people feel reluctant to go into agriculture, instead they seek for other job opportunities. On the side of the NACB, it feels reluctant in extending credit to some categories of farmers.
What actually are the reason for these set back? Could it be as a result of the rate of interest on loan amount? Could it be as a result of loan default? Could it be as a result of the amount being requested for? Could it be as a result of the nature of collateral involved?
Therefore, the researcher intends to investigate on the reason for all these set backs.
1.2 RATIONALE OF STUDY
In respect to the rationale of study, the researcher intends to justify her reason for laying emphasis on this particular topic.
However, what motivated the researcher to write on this topic is as a result of the prevailing problems facing the NACB in Agricultural financing in the society.
Therefore, this study or research work will contribute immensely to improve the in dept knowledge of those in Agricultural sector as well as the NACB in respect to the role of NACB in Agricultural financing.
1.3 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY
The usefulness of this research work can not be absolutely exhausted. However, individuals and groups of individuals will benefit from this research work, mostly those who are ignorant of the essence of the establishment of the NACB.
Also, those in Agricultural sector will also benefit from this research work. This is by having indept knowledge on how the NACB operate in terms of extending short, medium and long – term credits to farmers.
Conclusively, those in various schools of agriculture and other institute of higher leaning will benefit immensely from this work
1.3 DEFINITION OF TERMS
AGRICULTERAL FINANCING:- According to Uguwanyi (1999), Agricultural financing is the sourcing of fund and making it available for agricultural production and uses. That is, it involves the acquisition and utilization of funds for agricultural purpose.
NACB Nigeria Agricultural and co=operative Bank, which was established to fill the financial gap in terms of credit extension to the co=operatives and the agricultural sector.
NACRDB – Nigerian Agricultural, co-operative and Rural Development Bank, which was formed as a result of the merging of the inability of the NACB to meet up with its responsibilities.
NECHANISED SYSTEM OF FARMING:- This implies the system of farming with the aid of machines, such as tractors, bulldozer or Catapilers, Ploughs, etc.
COLLATERAL:- This is also referred to as security. It can be described as an item which a borrower deposits to a bank in hence of the loan amount, of which the bank will later consider in the case of default by the borrower.
Role Of The Nigerian Agriculture And Co-operative Bank In Agricultural Financing (Problems And Prospects):
The Nigerian Agriculture and Co-operative Bank, also known as the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB), plays a crucial role in agricultural financing within Nigeria. Its primary objective is to provide financial support and promote the development of agriculture and rural cooperatives. However, like many financial institutions, it faces several challenges and prospects in fulfilling its mission.
Role of the Nigerian Agriculture and Co-operative Bank in Agricultural Financing:
- Providing Loans and Credit: One of the primary roles of the NACRDB is to provide loans and credit facilities to farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and rural enterprises. These loans are aimed at supporting various agricultural activities, including crop production, livestock farming, and agribusiness ventures.
- Promoting Cooperatives: The bank encourages the formation and strengthening of agricultural cooperatives. These cooperatives can access financial resources and technical assistance from the bank to improve their members’ farming practices and overall productivity.
- Capacity Building: NACRDB provides training and capacity-building programs to farmers and cooperatives. This helps in enhancing their skills, knowledge, and ability to manage agricultural enterprises effectively.
- Facilitating Value Chain Development: The bank supports initiatives that promote the development of agricultural value chains. This includes financing for processing and marketing activities, which can add value to agricultural products and increase farmers’ incomes.
- Rural Infrastructure Development: It also plays a role in funding projects related to rural infrastructure development, such as roads, irrigation, and storage facilities. These investments can improve the overall agricultural ecosystem in rural areas.
Problems and Challenges:
- Limited Funding: One of the main challenges faced by the NACRDB is limited funding. The bank often struggles to meet the high demand for agricultural financing in Nigeria due to inadequate capital resources.
- High-Interest Rates: Interest rates on loans provided by the bank can be relatively high, which can be a burden for smallholder farmers and cooperatives, potentially limiting their ability to repay loans.
- Inadequate Outreach: The bank faces challenges in reaching remote and underserved rural areas, where agricultural financing is often needed the most. The lack of physical infrastructure in these areas can hinder its operations.
- Loan Recovery: Loan recovery can be a significant problem in Nigeria due to various factors, including market fluctuations, weather conditions, and the limited capacity of borrowers to repay loans.
Prospects and Solutions:
- Diversified Funding Sources: The bank can explore diverse funding sources, including partnerships with international development organizations and private sector institutions, to increase its capital base and provide more affordable financing to farmers.
- Technology Adoption: Embracing digital technology for loan disbursement and repayment can improve efficiency and reduce operational costs, making it easier for the bank to serve remote areas.
- Risk Mitigation Strategies: Developing and implementing effective risk assessment and management strategies can improve loan recovery rates and reduce the bank’s financial losses.
- Government Support: The Nigerian government can provide policy and regulatory support to create a more conducive environment for agricultural financing. This can include interest rate subsidies, loan guarantees, and improved infrastructure in rural areas.
- Capacity Building: Continued investment in training and capacity-building programs for farmers and cooperatives can enhance their ability to manage loans effectively and improve agricultural practices.
In conclusion, the Nigerian Agriculture and Co-operative Bank plays a vital role in agricultural financing in Nigeria. While it faces several challenges, including funding limitations and loan recovery issues, there are prospects for improvement through innovative approaches, technology adoption, and government support, which can ultimately contribute to the growth and development of the agricultural sector in Nigeria.