Impact Of Agricultural Market Reforms On Smallholder Farmers In ...
Impact Of Agricultural Market Reforms On Smallholder Farmers In ... Impact Of Agricultural Market Reforms On Smallholder Farmers In ...
households are not considered credit-worthy and the richest ones are able to self-finance their investments without resorting to credit. Informal credit was used by all groups in similar proportions (16-21 percent) (see Table 4.1.85). Characteristics of loans The average size of the loans was 115 thousand FCFA. Loans from the informal sector were smaller (67 thousand FCFA) compared to those from the formal sector (146 thousand FCFA). The average loan period was 8 months and the average interest rate was 2.7 percent per month. The most common sources of credit are CLCAM (29 percent of the loans), friends (20 percent), moneylenders (14 percent), and family (10 percent). CLCAM is particularly important in Borgou, Atacora, and, to a lesser extent, in Atlantique (see Table 4.1.86). Farm households were asked how the loan funds were used. Almost two-thirds (63 percent) of the borrowers reported that the funds were used for hiring agricultural laborers (see Table 4.1.87). Reasons for lack of credit According to the survey, households that did not receive credit generally had not applied for credit. About 35 percent of the households surveyed applied for credit and 34 percent received it, implying that almost everyone who applied was able to get a loan and that almost everyone who didn't get credit also didn't apply. The most important reasons for not applying for credit were that it was too risky (37 percent), that they had no need for credit (20 percent), and that the formalities were too complicated (see Table 4.1.88). Perceptions of changes in credit Farmers were asked about their perceptions of changes in the availability of credit since 1992. Most of them (73 percent) said there had been no change, but more saw improvements (17 percent) than deterioration (7 percent). This pattern was found in every expenditure category, suggesting that the improvements have not been limited to the higherincome households (see Table 4.1.89). The opinion that access to credit has improved is concentrated in Zou and Mono (see Table 4.1.90). The most common reason cited for improved access to credit was that the area cultivated by the farm household had expanded. The most common reason cited for reduced access to credit was that interest rates have increased. 67
Agricultural assets The ownership of agricultural assets (including animals) tells us something about the level of technology used in farming. In addition, it provides information on the ability of the farm households to cope with temporary reductions in income, since asset sales is one strategy for responding to adverse conditions. Finally, the patterns of animal ownership indicate the importance of livestock in the household economy. The most commonly owned agricultural assets are poultry (owned by 84 percent of the farm households) and goats/sheep (owned by 62 percent). Slightly less than 10 percent of the Bénin farm households practice animal traction based on their own equipment and animals, judging by the fact that 8 percent own working cattle and 9 percent own a plow. Carts, harrows, and tractors are quite rare, each being owned by less than 4 percent of the households (see Table N-4.1.91). Average herd size among owners of each type of animal were 23 fowl, 5 pigs, 9 goats/sheep, 6 working cattle and 12 other cattle. The value per animal, as assessed by the respondents, was 1000 FCFA per chicken, 7600 FCFA per pig, 8200 FCFA per goat/sheep, 64 thousand FCFA for cattle, and 89 thousand FCFA for working cattle (see Table N-4.1.91). Overall, the average value of agricultural assets is 260 thousand FCFA. The largest elements are cattle and working cattle, together representing about 158 thousand FCFA or 60 percent of the total. Looking at the geographic patterns of ownership, poultry are common in every department, being owned by at least 74 percent of the households in every department. Similarly, goats/sheep are owned by 54-70 percent of households with no clear geographic pattern. On the other hand, carts, plows, harrows, cattle, and work cattle are all much more common in Atacora and Borgou than in the other departments. For example, plows are owned by 43 percent of the farm households in Borgou and 17 percent of those in Atacora, but practically none of the farms in other departments. This difference reflects the impact of programs to introduce animal traction in the 1970s, combined with the problems of tsetse fly in central and southern Bénin. Pig production appears much more common in Atacora than elsewhere. As a result of these geographic differences, the value of agricultural assets is greatest in Borgou (920 thousand FCFA) and Atacora (370 thousand FCFA). In contrast, the average value ranges from 63 thousand to 126 thousand FCFA in the other four departments (see Tables 4.1.92 and 4.1.93). 68
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<strong>Agricultural</strong> assets<br />
The ownership of agricultural assets (including animals) tells us something about the level<br />
of technology used in farming. <strong>In</strong> addition, it provides information on the ability of the farm<br />
households to cope with temporary reductions in income, since asset sales is one strategy for<br />
responding to adverse conditions. Finally, the patterns of animal ownership indicate the importance<br />
of livestock in the household economy.<br />
The most commonly owned agricultural assets are poultry (owned by 84 percent of the farm<br />
households) and goats/sheep (owned by 62 percent). Slightly less than 10 percent of the Bénin<br />
farm households practice animal traction based on their own equipment and animals, judging by the<br />
fact that 8 percent own working cattle and 9 percent own a plow. Carts, harrows, and tractors are<br />
quite rare, each being owned by less than 4 percent of the households (see Table N-4.1.91).<br />
Average herd size among owners of each type of animal were 23 fowl, 5 pigs, 9 goats/sheep, 6<br />
working cattle and 12 other cattle. The value per animal, as assessed by the respondents, was 1000<br />
FCFA per chicken, 7600 FCFA per pig, 8200 FCFA per goat/sheep, 64 thousand FCFA for cattle,<br />
and 89 thousand FCFA for working cattle (see Table N-4.1.91).<br />
Overall, the average value of agricultural assets is 260 thousand FCFA. The largest elements are<br />
cattle and working cattle, together representing about 158 thousand FCFA or 60 percent of the total.<br />
Looking at the geographic patterns of ownership, poultry are common in every department, being<br />
owned by at least 74 percent of the households in every department. Similarly, goats/sheep are<br />
owned by 54-70 percent of households with no clear geographic pattern. <strong>On</strong> the other hand, carts,<br />
plows, harrows, cattle, and work cattle are all much more common in Atacora and Borgou than in<br />
the other departments. For example, plows are owned by 43 percent of the farm households in<br />
Borgou and 17 percent of those in Atacora, but practically none of the farms in other departments.<br />
This difference reflects the impact of programs to introduce animal traction in the 1970s, combined<br />
with the problems of tsetse fly in central and southern Bénin. Pig production appears much more<br />
common in Atacora than elsewhere. As a result of these geographic differences, the value of<br />
agricultural assets is greatest in Borgou (920 thousand FCFA) and Atacora (370 thousand FCFA).<br />
<strong>In</strong> contrast, the average value ranges from 63 thousand to 126 thousand FCFA in the other four<br />
departments (see Tables 4.1.92 and 4.1.93).<br />
68
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