Determinants of financing demand from microcredit associations by small family farms in Morocco: The case of the Chtouka-Ait-Baha province[Déterminants de la demande de financement auprès des associations de microcrédit par les petites exploitations agricoles familiales au Maroc : Cas de la province Chtouka-Ait-Baha]

This article examines the determinants of demand for microcredit by small family farms in the Chtouka-Ait-Baha province of Morocco. The study was conducted with 296 farmers using a stratified sampling method.The data was analyzed using Logit model. The results show that socioeconomic characteristics such as income, facing usury interest and proximity to microcredit association (MCA) have a negative and significant relationship with the probability of microcredit demand. However, credit information and engagement in non-agricultural activities have a positive and significant relationship with the probability of microcredit demand. With regard to the intrinsic characteristics of small family farms, the study shows a negative relationship between the number of cattle and the available surface area with the probability of microcredit demand, and a positive relationship between the cultivated area and microcredit demand. This article recommends the implementation of financial products that are better suited to the needs of small family farms and a better structuring of the agricultural sector to improve access to financing and encourage diversification of activities. These recommendations can strengthen the role of microcredit associations in financing small family farms in Morocco and contribute to the economic and social development of rural areas.