Enhancing Efficiency of Agricultural Financing through a Proposed Cluster Communication Model. A Case Study of Kano State Farmers

The study aims at enhancing efficiency of financing farmers through identifying factors responsible for poor access of information among farmers in Kano state. In addition to proposed cluster communication model for improving access to information through SMS alternatives, which enhances access to finance, a web form of information hub is generated with the advantage of building extended business opportunities. The study adopts qualitative method by critically reviewing the existing literatures through content analysis. The study revealed array of factors responsible for wide communication gap such as farmer’s incapability, Illiteracy, inadequate infrastructural facilities and few extension agents. After critical analysis, the study identified corruption as the major factor. Moreover, the study uncovers that little input on information sharing and networking through text message on Kenya’s and China’s farmers have shown astronomical improvement of farmer’s life. Hence the study proposes cluster communication as the key to success of bridging communication gap between stakeholders as well as stimulant for enhancing financing of farmers. It is a root-to-top communication for effective networking of information management to circumvent the corruption-ridden means of communication. Using simple but modern means of communication, three stages were proposed which includes; the enlightenment, implementation and feedback mechanism. The novelty of this study lies in proposing a unique structure of cluster communication model which embark on from top to bottom communication for enhancing financing to farmers through adequate flow of information. The research is limited to content analysis and proposing only cluster communication model without practical survey to assess the stakeholder perception regarding the model. Study findings can be useful to policymakers in finding underlying factors that brings about communication gap between farmers and financiers as well as the right measures to take in speeding up adequate flow of information between agricultural stakeholders. The study outcome may improve the level of awareness of farmers through adequate flow of information which ultimately enhance their access to financing thus improve their productivity and quality of life.