ABSTRACT

 The study examined the Performance of Nigeria Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development by farmer Borrowers in Abia State, Nigeria in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, it analyzed the socio-economic profile of the borrowers; assessed the effect of NACRDB services on farm size, income, input use and productivity and estimated factors influencing loan repayment. The study used multistage sampling technique to select location and respondents and also employed questionnaire in eliciting information and data. Sample size for the study was one hundred and fifty which encompassed farmers who borrowed from the bank and drawn randomly from different communities cut across the state. Analyis of data was done with the use of descriptive statistics, paired t — test statistic and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that majority of the farmer borrowers are young, fairly educated with sizable households and predominantly smallholders due to the paucity of their farm sizes. They are mostly male and are accessible to small amounts of loans. Furthermore, effect of NACRDB services on borrowers' farm size, income, use of inputs and productivity showed that only differences in farm size, income and productivity were significant. The multiple regression result revealed coefficients of income, loan duration, interest rate and amount borrowed possessed expected positive signs and significant at 1 % probability level while education and sex posted negative coefficients. Based on the findings, the study suggested intensification of value re — orientation among Nigerian farmers to re-awaken their moral consciousness and also formulate deliberate monetary policy to contain the ever rising interest rate