The Federal Government, in partnership with the Niger State Government, has announced plans to provide 600 small-scale farmers in the state with interest-free loans of N300,000 each, amounting to a total of N180m.
The initiative, implemented through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme under the National Social Investment Programme Agency, is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and providing financial support to smallholder farmers.
The National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Baba, disclosed this on Saturday in Minna during the flag-off of the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and training of GEEP desk officers from the state’s 25 local government areas, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Baba said the loans would help farmers purchase agricultural inputs, increase production and improve their livelihoods.
Baba said each eligible farmer would receive an interest-free loan of N300,000, repayable over 12 months, with repayment scheduled to begin six months after the start of farming activities.
He explained that the intervention would cover farmers engaged in crop production, poultry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture.
He added that the programme would involve the identification, registration and verification of beneficiaries to ensure that the loans reach genuine and active farmers.
Requirements for the enumeration exercise include digital photographs, biometric information, National Identification Numbers, verified farm locations and details of agricultural activities.
Registration will be conducted through designated GEEP desk officers.
Baba added that the agency would work with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the Agricultural Development Programme and local government officials to monitor the use of the loans and ensure timely repayment.
The Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ibrahim Inga, described the initiative as part of the state government’s efforts to complement existing poverty reduction programmes.
He said the participation of relevant stakeholders would promote transparency and ensure that the loans were provided to genuine farmers.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Social Investment Programme, Hauwa Mohammed, said desk officers had been provided with tablets to capture farmers’ personal details and the locations of their farmlands.
