Efficiency of Cooperative Societies in Credit Delivery to Agricultural Enterprises in Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract— The study evaluates the efficiency of cooperative societies in credit delivery to agricultural enterprises in Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic profile of cooperatives societies, identify the sources of finance that are available and utilize for credit by cooperative societies, analyze the efficiency of cooperatives using the arrival rate of loan request and the service rate and identify the challenges militating against cooperatives as a means of providing credit facilities to farmers in the study area. random sampling method was used to select 30 Cooperative Societies in the Local Government Area. Data were obtained using well structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and queue theory. Results from the study showed that most of the cooperatives were formed in 2011 with 16-20 members at inception, which stood currently at 21-40 members. The benefits derived from the society ranges from, provision of input for production, accessibility of loan and marketing of products. The large proportion of the amount disbursed to member’s ranges from 11000 - 31000naira. The result revealed that the sources of finance available to members was mainly from members contributions .The result further showed that cooperatives were not effective and efficient in queue management because the average idle time (-0.26) and the average traffic intensity was more than one (1.26). Also, findings showed that insufficient funds for disbursement(3.33), lack of qualified personnel (3.23), insincerity of members in credit management (3.16) and changes in government credit policies (3.16) were serious challenges that affected efficient delivery of credit by cooperative societies to agricultural enterprises in the study area, The study therefore recommended capacity building for cooperative members to enable them adequately source for funds and efficiently manage loan disbursement and repayment by members. Also, relevant government and nongovernmental financial institutions should be encouraged to channel credit facilities through cooperatives in other to build their financial base and make credit more accessible to agricultural enterprises