Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5 (1), pp. 034-042, February 2015.

 ISSN: 2276-7770  

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 011515003

DOI: http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2015.1.011515003

Determinants of Access to Formal Credit by Smallholder Tobacco Farmers in Makoni District, Zimbabwe

 

Lighton Dube^1*, Tatenda Mariga² and May Mrema²

 

¹Faculty of Commerce and Law, Zimbabwe Open University, National Office, P.O Box MP 111, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

²Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, P. O. Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: dubelig@ gmail.com

 

Abstract

 

This study used data from 77 smallholder tobacco farmers from Makoni district in Zimbabwe to investigate factors affecting smallholder tobacco farmers’ access to formal credit. The results of the study showed that contact with extension services, farmer’s attitude towards risk of borrowing and ownership of land cultivated significantly and positively influenced the probability of farmers’ access to formal credit in the study area. These findings confirm that improving access to extension services and secure land ownership remain the important factors in the quest to improving access of smallholder farmers to formal credit in Zimbabwe. Improved access to information on credit use through extension services is also likely to positively influence farmers’ perceptions on credit risk, which would in turn reduce fears associated with formal credit sources. Encouraging farmers to insure both their crop and loans against the event of crop failure can also be used to reduce the risk associated with formal credit sources and help improve access to formal credit by a majority of smallholder farmers.

 

Key Words: Smallholder tobacco farmers, formal credit, Makoni district, logit model.

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Cite this Article: Lighton D, Tatenda M, May M, 2015. Determinants of Access to Formal Credit by Smallholder Tobacco Farmers in Makoni District, Zimbabwe. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 5(1):033-042, http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2015.1.011515003.