Determinants of access to agricultural credits by casnacard growers in north Benin

Abstract

In order to secure the agricultural income of producers in Benin, agricultural financing mechanisms have been put in place in cashew production. This study aimed at identifying the determinants of access to finance by cashew producers. To this end, socioeconomic data was collected through a survey of 160 cashew producers chosen at random from two municipalities in North Benin. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the types of funding. A binary logit regression model was estimated to determine the variables influencing access to credit by cashew producers. The main results of this study indicate three types of financing obtained by cashew producers, which are financed by various actors. In addition, gender, age, membership of an organization, contacts with extension services and training in cashew production determine access to agricultural credit in northern Benin. Finally, the promotion of this financing in the study area will make it possible to regulate the capacity to introduce agroforestry on the farm, all of which contributes to the improvement of living conditions and soil protection.