ABSTRACT:

This study aimed to analyze the constraints faced in the utilization of credit for poultry enterprise in South-western, Nigeria. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, 250 poultry farmers were selected. Primary data were collected and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics to meet the research objectives. A four-stage sampling procedure was used. Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states were randomly selected; and three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in each state based on prevalence of commercial poultry entrepreneurs. Cluster sampling technique was used to select two communities where poultry enterprises huddled in the selected LGAs. Ten percent of the entire poultry farmers were selected to give a total of 250 respondents. Data were collected using interview schedule on respondents’ socio-economic and enterprise characteristics (age, education, occupation, type of enterprise and management practice), access to credit facilities, attitude towards use of credit and utilisation of credits, constraints to utilisation of credit and profitability of commercial poultry farming. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Pearson product moment correlation. Most respondents were male (74.8%). Age and years of formal education were 42.56±9.84 and 17±9.26 years, respectively. More than half (52.8%) engaged in poultry production as their primary occupation, 54.4% combined egg and meat production and 63.6% used battery cage system. Credit was mostly accessed from cooperative societies (x =1.19) and family/friends ( x =1.07). Based on these findings, recommendations were made that poultry farmers should form cooperatives society to enable them access loans from the various financial institutions. The high interest and procedures for securing loans should be reviewed in order to make it simple and attractive for the farmers.