What Influences Rice Farmers’ Choices of Credit Sources in Côte d’Ivoire? An Econometric Analysis using the Multinomial Conditional Logit Model

In Côte d’Ivoire, the low participation of smallholder farmers in the credit market remains a matter of concern. This study examines the key determinants of rice farmers’ participation in the credit market. We use a Multinomial Conditional Logit model to consider the characteristics related to the use of different credit sources. A total of 588 rice farmers were randomly sampled from seven rice areas. Our findings reveal that gender, age, education level, experience in rice farming, rice plot size, lowland rice farming, extension contact, membership of a farmer-based organization, marketing of paddy rice, and off-farm income significantly influence the use of different credit sources. While credit requirements such as saving plus collateral, kinship/friendship, membership, favoured client, loan maturity, and the distance between borrowers and lenders are credit source-specific variables that significantly determine rice farmers’ choices between different credit sources. These empirical results show that in addition to farmer-specific variables, policymakers should consider the characteristics of credit sources for developing a credit market suitable for smallholder farmers.

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Does Credit Influence Fertilizer Intensification in Rice Farming? Empirical Evidence from Côte D’Ivoire

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10081063 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1063

Author(s):

N’Banan Ouattara ◽

Xueping Xiong ◽

Lacina Traoré ◽

Calum G. Turvey ◽

Ruiting Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Empirical Evidence ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Rice Farming ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Agricultural Finance ◽

Access To Credit ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Rice Farmers ◽

Côte D'ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, the use of fertilizers in rice farming still remains low. Credit constraints have been frequently reported as the main reason hampering rice farmers from reversing this situation. However, there is no empirical evidence on the link between rice farmers’ access to credit (AC) and fertilizer intensification (FI). This article examines this issue by using a sample of 600 rice farmers randomly selected in seven rice areas. Data are analyzed by the IV-Probit and IV-Tobit models. The results reveal that FI and AC reciprocally influence each other, implying that they are endogenous. An increase of credit by XOF 100 could increase the quantity of fertilizer used by 2.70 kg, all other things being equal. Moreover, FI and AC are strongly influenced by some socio-economic, rice farm, and institutional factors. Policymakers should take actions to facilitate rice farmers’ access to credit and subsidized fertilizers. Other relevant explanatory variables should be considered in rice farming development policies. By providing empirical evidence of the link between rice farmers’ access to credit and fertilizer intensification in Côte d’Ivoire, this paper contributes to the agricultural finance literature.

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GENDER GAP IN ACQUISITION AND PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE: CASE STUDY OF RICE FARMING IN WEST AFRICA

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479716000582 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 566-577 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

ESPÉRANCE ZOSSOU ◽

AMINOU AROUNA ◽

ALIOU DIAGNE ◽

RITA AFIAVI AGBOH-NOAMESHIE

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Gender Gap ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Rice Farming ◽

Knowledge Sources ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Rice Farmers ◽

Agricultural Knowledge ◽

Côte D'ivoire

SUMMARYImproving farmers’ knowledge of new technologies and creating conducive learning opportunities, with particular attention to the marginalized poor (women and youth), are major factors in the move towards sustainable agriculture. To explore the gender gap in agricultural knowledge acquisition and adoption in West Africa, we used baseline data collected in 2013 and 2014 in five countries (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria and Togo) with 499 surveyed households. The t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used for analysis. The most quoted source for acquiring knowledge on rice farming methods was ‘other farmers’, showing the importance of social capital for rural African farmers. In Benin, a gender gap was noted in rice farmers’ access to agricultural knowledge sources, with women being more advantaged. In Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria and Togo, no significant gender gap was observed in rice farmers’ access to agricultural knowledge sources. Regarding the level of knowledge and use of rice farming methods in Côte d'Ivoire and Niger, significant gender gaps were observed. The gender approach to rural development is having impact in West Africa with regard to farmers’ access to agricultural information. However, interactive rural learning approaches (such as farmer-to-farmer video) need to be resorted to make the technologies’ principles well known and improve the ability of marginalized poor to adopt and or innovate with local or limited resources. This study leads to a better understanding of the relationship between gender, knowledge and use of agricultural technologies in order to enhance marginalized farmers’ adoption of improved innovations.

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Determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits

Agricultural Finance Review ◽

10.1108/afr-07-2019-0075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 401-419 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N’Banan Ouattara ◽

Xiong Xueping ◽

Trazié Bertrand Athanase Youan BI ◽

Lacina Traoré ◽

J.K. Ahiakpa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farm Income ◽

Future Research ◽

Microfinance Institutions ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Content Type ◽

Credit Access ◽

Côte D'ivoire

Purpose Several years after the regularization of microfinance activity in Côte d’Ivoire, smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits still remains marginal. The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze key determinants of access to microfinance credit in Sassandra-Marahoué District. Design/methodology/approach A total of 150 smallholder farmers were randomly sampled using an interview guide and semi-structured questionnaires. Univariate statistics and Probit binary modeling were employed for data analyses. Findings Results revealed that socio-economic/demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and credit requirements imposed by microfinance institutions (MFIs) are key determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits in the district. Research limitations/implications Although, the authors shed light on the determinants of microfinance credit access for smallholder farmers in this district, the study focused on a single source of financial credit. Future research will need to explore the determinants of credit demand and the choice between different sources of rural credits in Côte d’Ivoire. Practical implications The findings suggest that MFIs seldom take into account smallholder farmers who are not engaged in off-farm income-generating activities and savings account; and those with low level of education. Sensitization programs on the importance of savings mobilization and credit policy by MFIs will potentially increase smallholder’s knowledge on credit access requirements and thereby increased access. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study investigating determinants of smallholder farmers’ access to microfinance credits in Côte d’Ivoire specifically in the Sassandra-Marahoué District. The results of this study will serve as a guide for MFIs for improving smallholder farmers’ access to credit.

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Analysis of Rice Farming Competitiveness in Cote d'Ivoire: An application of Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM)

Agro-Economist ◽

10.5958/2394-8159.2015.00003.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Kouakou

Keyword(s):

Policy Analysis ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Rice Farming ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Policy Analysis Matrix

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Analysis of banana and cocoa export commodities in food system transformation, with special reference to certification schemes as drivers of change

Food Security ◽

10.1007/s12571-021-01219-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carlos F. B. V. Alho ◽

Amanda F. da Silva ◽

Chantal M. J. Hendriks ◽

Jetse J. Stoorvogel ◽

Peter J. M. Oosterveer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Food System ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

System Transformation ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Côte D'ivoire

AbstractFood systems analysis is increasingly being applied to understand relations between production, distribution, and consumption of food products, the drivers that influence the system, and the outcomes that show how well the food system performs on health and nutrition, on environmental sustainability, and on income and inclusiveness. Little attention has gone to the position of global export commodities, where production and consumption are far apart. Banana in Costa Rica and cocoa in Cote d’Ivoire were the subject of this study to find out what major drivers determine the functioning of these systems. Next to identifying drivers such as population growth and increased plant disease pressure, it was found that the typical far-away setting and different living conditions between producer and consumer countries required a special eye on governance as a tripartite arena (government, private sector, civil society) with their power relations, and on certification schemes as a driver that follows from corporate social responsibility. The certification schemes addressed cover all food system outcomes, although health and nutrition in a less conspicuous way. The descriptions of the functioning of the schemes were also linked to living wages and incomes for banana plantation workers in Costa Rica and cocoa smallholder farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. Although very meaningful, certification schemes so far do not prove to be a silver bullet, but they do have the potential, in combination with other measures, to help positive food system transformations.

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