FG targets 600 farmers for N180 million interest-free loans in Niger State
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Niger State Government, has announced plans to provide N300,000 interest-free loans.. The post FG targets 600 farmers for N180 million interest-free loans in Niger State appeared first on Nairametrics .
The Federal Government, in partnership with the Niger State Government, has announced plans to provide 600 small-scale farmers in the state with N300,000 interest-free loans, totaling N180 million. This initiative falls under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which is part of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) to enhance agricultural productivity and assist smallholder farmers.
Hamza Baba, the National Programme Manager of GEEP, announced this on Saturday during the commencement of the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and the training of GEEP desk officers from the state's 25 local government areas. Each eligible farmer will receive N300,000, which they can repay within one year, with the first repayment due six months after the start of farming activities.
The loans aim to help farmers purchase agricultural inputs, expand their production, and improve their livelihoods. These funds will support farmers engaged in various agricultural activities such as crop cultivation, poultry, livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture. To ensure that the funds reach active farmers, the programme will involve the identification, registration, and verification of beneficiaries.
Key stakeholders like the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), and local government officials will collaborate to monitor loan usage and repayment. The Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ibrahim Inga, emphasized that this initiative is part of a larger effort to complement existing poverty reduction programs in the state.
Hauwa Mohammed, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment Programme, explained that desk officers have been equipped with tablets to capture farmers' details and farmland locations, aiming to prevent fictitious beneficiaries from receiving loans. The FarmerMoni initiative is part of the Federal Government's broader efforts to increase agricultural financing and improve access to credit for small-scale farmers.
Written by urgent.news from Nairametrics's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
