Microfinance services are increasingly recognised as a critical tool for empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women who often face significant financial barriers in rural areas of developing countries. A quantitative survey method was employed, with a sample size of 350 female smallholder farmers selected through stratified random sampling from various regions of DRC. Data collection involved online surveys administered via an electronic platform. The findings indicate that while over 70% of surveyed women reported having access to microfinance services, the overall credit utilization rate was notably low at approximately 45%, with repayment rates averaging around 60%. Additionally, businesses showing higher growth were found to be significantly more likely to utilise microfinance. This research underscores significant gaps in both access and usage of microfinance among female smallholder farmers in DRC, highlighting the need for tailored financial inclusion strategies that address specific barriers faced by this demographic. Policy makers are recommended to develop targeted programmes aimed at increasing awareness about available microfinance services and improving loan terms to enhance women's ability to access and utilise these resources effectively.
Tshilombo et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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