IMPACT OF MICRO CREDIT SCHEME OF THE NACRDB IN BORNO STATE Micro credit industries use the concept out-reach

to portray the extent of poverty targeting and other social objectives achievements. The effort of the government in offering micro credit through reforming the institution NACRDB was reaching the vulnerable groups with micro credit to empower them to pull themselves out of poverty and be productive member of the Nigerian society. It aimed at busting the rural based employments to generate income that encourages the rural populace to be contented with the rural economy and social life thereby curtailing the prevailing rural urban drifts. 4.1. Information Solicited to Determine the Out-reach and Impact of the Micro Credit Information regarding spatial locations of the NACRDB branches in Borno State and the local government areas served with the micro credit were identified. Project types supported by NACRDB micro credit fund, methods of mobilising the vulnerable groups to patronize micro credit business and the micro loan repayments were examined. Differences between the mode of micro credit dispensations of the former credits based rural development institutions and the reformed NACRDB were dichotomised.

Two sets of the study vulnerable population- borrowers and the non-borrowers of the micro loans- were contrasted to ascertain that the two groups have the same physical and social background. In assessing the profiles of the vulnerable groups data were obtained on ages, gender, marital statuses, literacy levels, farm sizes, family sizes, farming experiences, occupations, title to land/business premises and distances of NACRDB branches location

from the target vulnerable groups. Data on physical and social impediments that qualify the individuals as a less privileged member of the society were also gathered. Some separate information was solicited from each of the groups as when they are only relevant to the group.

In studying the target vulnerable groups access to the micro credit, ways of contacting the vulnerable groups, reasons for borrowing and for none borrowing the micro loans including the amount of micro loans given to individual borrowers together with the backstopping services were examined. The borrowing and investment pattern were determined.

Impacts of the NACRDBs micro credit were evaluated through studying the investments pattern, agricultural investments, entrepreneurial productivity and banking culture of the vulnerable groups. Micro credit investment inputs variables studied include title to land or work premises, human labour, animal power, work tools, fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, improved seeds, transport facilities, credit backstop services, banking facilities, insurance services, storage facilities and GSM services. The impact of the micro loans on the living standard are studied on dependent variables which include production, food security, improved diet, household income, childrens schooling, access to modern health facilities, wealth and assets acquisition, copping with obligations, decision making power, participation in politics, leadership promotion, banking transaction and access to modern GSM communication.

In determining the weakness of the NACRDB management in the process of dispensing the micro credit services information solicited involves difficulties encountered in the processes

of borrowing the micro loans such as long procedures, far distances from the banks, dishonest officials, late disbursement of the fund, high interest charges and rating the management services by the vulnerable groups. Side effects of the NACRDB micro credit assessed by both beneficiary and non-beneficiary vulnerable groups are viewed in terms of corruption, rubbery, too much dependency on micro loans, over proud cases among the borrowers, drug abuse, feud, pilfering, disputes, increased marriages, divorces and others. Free comments were solicited from the vulnerable groups views on micro credit scheme of the NACRDB as a strategy for rural development and poverty alleviation in Nigeria and their responses were summarised into few precepts.