Impact of Agricultural Credit on Economic Growth in Nigeria

Abstract

This study’s aim was to examine the influence of agricultural credit on Nigeria's economic growth for the period of 1981-2017. Data is sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin and world development indicator (WDI). The detailed objectives are to analyze the effect of the Agricultural credit guarantee scheme fund (ACGSF) and the deposit money bank credit to agric sector (DMBCA) on Nigeria's Economic Growth. Data was analyzed using the test for stationarity, Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). ARDL is adopted due to the mixed order of stationarity of the variables at levels and first difference. From the research results, it was established, in the long run, that DMBCA is significant and there exists a direct relationship, only in the short run, and the ACGSF is insignificant both the short and long run but has a direct relation in the short run and an inverse relationship in the long-run. Therefore, it is recommended, that the Federal Government should make coordinated attempts to ensure that farmers especially small-scale farmers have easy access to the financial aids and grants provided and the funds should be disbursed appropriately and adequately without any hitch.