Motivational Factors and Obstacles among Nigerian Agripreneurs: Empirical Evidence from Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the motivational factors and obstacles among agriculturally based SMES in Rivers State, Nigeria. Seventy (70) SMEs that have operated for at least four years were selected from the population using simply random sampling. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the mean scores and standard deviations of indicators of motivation and obstacles. The analysis reveals that factors related to business achievement (such as: to increase my income) constitute the highest motivation for owners of SMEs, while factors concerning financing problems, and infrastructural problems (such as: obtaining long term financial capital and electricity problems) ranked highest on the scale of obstacles. It was recommended that agro-based firms and associations should collaborate with relevant agencies to provide more training to SMEs owners. Government should also work out adequate mechanisms with banks to provide soft loans, and put in place sustainable infrastructure for agriculturally based enterprises to thrive.