MEDIATING INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC MICROFINANCE ON AGRICULTURAL ANTECEDENTS AND AGRIBUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

The object of research is the relationship between farm technical know-how (FTK), farmers’ cooperatives (FC) and agribusiness performance (ABP) in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Despite the importance of the agribusiness in terms of economic growth and development of Jigawa state, yet, the agribusiness performance is decreasing in the state. The findings from the sector revealed inconsistency due to that this study is motivated to includes Islamic microfinance as a mediating variable on the relationship between the study variables. The study seeks to establish a relationship between agricultural antecedents and Agribusiness Performance. Also, to explore the mediating impact of Islamic microfinance on the relationship between agricultural antecedents and Agribusiness Performance in Jigawa state, Nigeria. The study used a quantitative approach with 320 questionnaires and analysed by Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) through Smart PLS software. The findings of the study indicated that there is a positive relationship between farm technical know-how, farmers’ cooperatives, and agribusiness performance. Similarly, Islamic microfinance was found to mediate the relationship between farm technical know-how, farmers’ cooperatives and agribusiness Performance. The study recommended that Jigawa state government decision-makers, agribusiness associations and farmer cooperatives should consider use of Islamic microfinance as a solution to the problems of Agribusiness Performance through which poverty reduction and unemployment can be solved. In relation to this, Islamic micro-financial institutions should provide more opportunities to support agribusiness activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]