Effect of Participation in Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations on Agricultural Investment and Income Among Farmers in Anambra State

Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations serve as important rural financial intermediaries in many Nigerian states, filling gaps in formal financial service provision for smallholder farming households. In Anambra State, these institutions have a long history, yet rigorous empirical analysis of their effect on agricultural investment and farm income is limited in the recent literature. This study examined the effect of participation in Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations on agricultural investment and income among farmers in Anambra State using data from 215 farming households. A treatment effects model was applied to control for non-random selection into cooperative membership. Agricultural investment was measured by expenditure on farm inputs, equipment, and land improvements, while farm income was calculated as net crop and livestock revenue. Results showed that cooperative participants invested an average of 34 percent more in farm production compared to non-participants and earned household farm incomes approximately 29 percent higher. Credit access and group-based extension services were the primary investment pathways facilitated by cooperative membership. Governance quality of individual cooperatives was a significant moderator of outcome strength. The study recommends strengthening cooperative governance through regulatory oversight and capacity development. Integration of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations into agricultural development programme extension platforms in Anambra State is also advocated. Keywords: savings cooperatives, agricultural investment, income, Anambra State, rural finance.