Effect of Anchor Borrowers' Programme on Rice Yield in North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract The Anchor Borrowers' Programme (ABP) was launched to boost rice production in Nigeria. Empirical studies on rice production abound in literature but effectiveness of ABP in enhancing rice yield, particularly in the North-Central region of Nigeria remained under explored. Hence, effect of ABP on rice yield in North-Central, Nigeria was investigated. Using a multistage sampling procedure, 314 respondents (157 beneficiaries and 157 non beneficiaries) were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data were analysed using mean, percentage, Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and multiple linear regression analysis. The mean age of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 42 and 44 years, respectively; 73.2% and 62.4% were male; 64.3% and 56.1% were married, respectively. Beneficiaries and non beneficiaries had farm size of 3.3±1.0ha and 2.9±1.1ha; earned an average of ₦58,068.15 and ₦56,889.36 monthly, respectively. Beneficiaries' yield of 453.95kg/ha was higher than non-beneficiaries (367.36kg/ha). The ABP positively impacted on rice production as beneficiaries had an additional yield of 105.82kg/ha over non-beneficiaries. Household size (p=0.03), education (p=0.00) and farming experience (p=0.03) influenced rice yield among beneficiaries. The study concludes that ABP impacted positively on rice yield in North Central, Nigeria and sustainability of ABP is, therefore, recommended.