IMPACT OF ANCHOR BORROWERS PROGRAMME ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN AGRARIAN COMMUNITIES OF LAPAI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA (2016-2021)

Abstract

The research examined Poverty and Anchor Borrowers Programme in Agrarian Communities of Lapai Local Government Area, Niger State Nigeria (2016-2021). The research objectives, are to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of anchor borrower's beneficiaries, determine the impact of Anchor Borrowers programme on poverty alleviation, examine the effect of Anchor Borrowers Programme services on the productivity of the beneficiaries, and investigate the loan recovery rate and other challenges of the programme. Null hypotheses were formulated to guide the research, that Anchor Borrowers programme has no significant impact on poverty alleviation, there is no significant effect of Anchor Borrowers programme services on the productivity of the beneficiaries, there are no significant problem in loan recovery rate and other challenges in Anchor Borrowers programme. The sample size of the study was 377 and was randomly selectedusing Slovin's formula. The data collected from the field was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Regression was used to test the first and second null hypotheses at alpha level of 0.05 level of significance using SPSS20, while Chi-square was used in testing the third and fourth null hypotheses. The result of the research hypotheses established a significant impact of Anchor Borrowers on the poverty alleviation. Based on the findings, the research concluded that Anchor Borrowers Programme has contributed immensely in alleviating poverty among the beneficiaries. It contributed in the development of agriculture, employment generation among the beneficiaries and there are significant challenges in the implementation of the programme. It was therefore, recommended that Anchor Borrower Programme should cover more farmers, especially female farmers by increasing funds and making sure real farmers benefit from the programme.