A major constraint to the productivity of farmers is their lack of access to sufficient support and credit for investing in crops, technology, or security amidst risks and in the face of shocks. Though credit programs are available, the agricultural sector is risky and unpredictable owing to higher transaction costs of farm credit, unaffordability of the loans, inflexibility of payment schemes, low capital returns in agriculture, and swaying environmental and market factors. This publication, featuring studies on public agricultural credit assistance programs in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines, analyzes the relevance, appropriateness, accessibility, and usefulness of the selected programs; and proposes recommendations for government lending institutions to improve smallholders’ access to and utilization of such programs.

To read the full report, click here.