EFFECTS OF NIRSAL ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to analyze effects of NIRSAL on livestock production in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to identify various NIRSAL programme sub-activities involved by livestock farmers; ascertain the awareness about NIRSAL programme by livestock farmers; examine the income of livestock farmers before and after benefiting from NIRSAL programme; and identify the constraints affecting livestock farmers in assessing NIRSAL programme. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean and revenue analysis were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that NIRSAL shares the risk involved when beneficiaries acquire loan from banks, NIRSAL guarantees insurance coverage in livestock production for the benefit of their trainees, there was divided feelings about NIRSAL offering cash to banks to increase their lending potential to livestock farmers, having 31% of the livestock farmers agreeing to it and 34% disagreeing to it, NIRSAL gives loan to their trainees to start up their Agricultural Business. The revenue of livestock farmers who have benefited financially from NIRSAL programme was seen to increase. The study further identified that the activities of NIRSAL was of great benefit to registered members as they have the opportunity of enjoying financial benefits, insurance and also receives trainings. Constraints identified from the study were basically complex NIRSAL registration procedures and late disbursement of loans to applicants. It was therefore recommended that there should be sustained awareness of NIRSAL programme implementation, NIRSAL improves on its procedure to loan acquisition so as to out rightly disbursed credit to registered applicants without any form of delay, NIRSAL should also make provision for new business startups in order to integrated them into the financial support base of the bank and finally, the registration procedures to register as a new member should be made easier.