By Stephen Adeleye
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, has flagged off the disbursement of Community Revolving Fund (CRF) loan for farmers to boost food security in the state
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CRF loan disbursement was in partnership with the World Bank under the ACReSAL project.
Ododo, who launched the disbursement on Wednesday at Government House Lokoja, said the scheme was a proactive initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change and support community agricultural efforts.
According to him, 208 farmers spread across 10 clusters in two catchment areas would benefit from the CRF loan in the pilot phase. Each cluster will get 25,000 USD, and 70 per cent of the beneficiaries are women.
The governor added that the next phase of the CRF loan disbursement would come in August 2024
The governor expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the project and emphasized his administration’s commitment to agricultural development.
He noted noted that within five months in office, his administration had implemented various initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity.
This, he said included the provision of agricultural machineries for mechanization, agricultural inputs, training, and capacity building for farmers, among others.
He urged the CRF beneficiaries to utilize the loan judiciously, stressing that it was designed to support their agricultural endeavors and improve their livelihoods.
Ododo assured that the loan would boost agricultural practices in the catchment areas, leading to increased food production and security.
“It is expected that the funds would be utilized for activities under climate smart agriculture, and related agricultural value chain, just as you have been trained.
“I also implore you to pay as at when due, to enable others benefit from the fund because, it is a revolving loan.
“I assure the people of our dear State that our administration will continue to collaborate with global partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the attendant effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the State.
“We are not oblivious of the fact that our farmers need security in order to farm effectively. To this end, we have mapped our a security plan to protect our farmers and their farmlands.
“Our administration has developed a template for farmlands security by employing local hunters and vigilante men and women to provide adequate security at all times.
“We have also activated our rapid response capacity to distress calls from farmers.
“Adequate security gadgets and patrol vehicles have been provided across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
“We have strengthened the capacity of Local Government Councils to ensure community policing. We won’t complain and run to Abuja, we are providing solutions here in Kogi State.
Local Government Chairmen, Community Leaders, Security Agencies are all our critical partners in ensuring the success of this all important, poverty-defeating scheme.
“There are pointers already to the fact that our efforts in the area of community policing is already yielding fruits,” Ododo said.
Earlier, the Speaker, Kogi House Assembly, Rt Hon. Umar Yusuf, emphasized the importance of partnership for progress, as highlighted in the 17 thematic areas of the SDGs.
The speaker, who was represented by Hon. Jibril Abu, commended the governor for his leadership and commitment to the development of the state.
Also, the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Barr. Ladi Jatto commended the governor for his total commitment to the success of the project in the state.
Jatto stressed that the governor had made it easy for the people of Kogi to take advantage of the project.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris; and his Environment and Ecological Management counterpart, Engr Olusegun Joseph, thanked the governor for paying due attention to the plight of the rural poor.
The Obaro of Kabba, HRM Oba Solomon Owoniyi; and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM, Alh. Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, both commended the governor for his efforts in supporting the agricultural sector.
They urged the beneficiaries to ensure timely loan repayment, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and community development.
In their separate comments, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the governor for his commitment to agricultural development and his dedication to improving the lives of the people of Kogi.
The beneficiaries assured the governor of their determination to ensure judicious use of the loan. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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