Microloans and Agricultural Sector Incomes in Developing Countries: An Empirical Study of the PRU District in Ghana

Abstract

The agricultural sector of developing countries continues to contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product. However, majority of actors in the sector remain low income earners and inequality exacerbates. Several interventions have been implemented including providing microcredit to farmers. However, the results of such interventions remain contested as the outcomes have been a mixed one: positive and negative results. This paper sought to evaluate microcredit impact on incomes within the agricultural sector of the Pru District of Ghana. A case study and quasi-experimental methods were employed. Data was collected from 96 crop farmers and 60 fishermen using questionnaires. It was revealed that microcredit has a positive relationship with incomes and aids in moderating income disparity amongst actors.