Socio-Economic Impacts of Micro-Credit Access on Agro-Input Adoption among Female Wetland Rice Farmers in Southern Sierra Leone

African Journal of Agriculture | Vol. 13, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 170–177

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJA/000755

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Socio-Economic Impacts of Micro-Credit Access on Agro-Input Adoption among Female Wetland Rice Farmers in Southern Sierra Leone

Names of Authors: Sahr M. Fofanah¹, Fatmata B. Kamara¹, Zainab H. Kanu²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Freetown, Sierra Leone; ²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Njala University, Njala, Sierra Leone

Abstract: Women provide a large share of the labor for wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.) farming in southern Sierra Leone, yet structural gender gaps in credit access limit their ability to purchase certified seeds and mineral fertilizers. This study evaluated the socio-economic impacts of formal micro-credit access on agro-input spending and net farm returns among 360 female wetland rice growers. Data were gathered through a structured rural survey across three districts. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to control for self-selection bias and compare credit recipients with non-recipients. The empirical models revealed that cooperative membership, land holding size, and distance to the nearest financial hub significantly influenced micro-credit access (p < 0.05). PSM estimates showed that women with access to micro-credit spent an average of 42.5% more on certified, high-yielding rice seeds (such as ROK 5) and applied 35.0 kg/ha more urea fertilizer than non-recipients. This input expansion translated into a significant average yield gain of 1.15 t/ha, lifting net household seasonal crop income by US$ 324. The study concludes that expanding tailored micro-finance options for women agricultural cooperatives is a highly effective way to increase input adoption and secure rural food security.

Keywords: Propensity score matching, Micro-credit, Gender dynamics, Wetland rice, Input adoption, Economic empowerment

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 22, 2026; Revised: July 24, 2026; Accepted: August 14, 2026; Published: August 31, 2026

Citation: Fofanah, S. M., Kamara, F. B., & Kanu, Z. H. (2026). Socio-Economic Impacts of Micro-Credit Access on Agro-Input Adoption among Female Wetland Rice Farmers in Southern Sierra Leone. African Journal of Agriculture, 13(8), 170–177. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJA/000755

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