Kogi Disburses $25,000 Loan Scheme to Kogi Farmers

Kogi State Government in its determination to ensure adequate food production has commenced a Community Revolving Fund loan disbursement to cluster groups of farmers to access $25,000 each.

The Community Revolving Fund loan is facilitated under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project in collaboration with the World Bank.

The scheme is an initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change as well as supporting community agricultural efforts.

Unveiling the facility and subsequent disbursement of the loan to the cluster groups, on Wednesday at the Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo thanked all stakeholders involved in the project.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to agricultural development in the state, pointing out that

within five months, his administration has implemented various initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity, including the provision of agricultural machinery for mechanisation, agricultural inputs, training, and capacity building for farmers.

The Governor urged CRF beneficiaries to utilise the loan judiciously, stressing that it is designed to support their agricultural endeavours and improve their livelihoods.

Ododo assured that the loan would boost agricultural practices in the catchment areas, leading to increased food production and security.

Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, represented by Jibril Abu, emphasized the importance of partnership for progress, as highlighted in the 17 thematic areas of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In her remarks, the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Ladi Jatto, commended the governor for his total commitment to the success of the project in the state, saying the Governor has made it easy for the people of Kogi to take advantage of the project.

She called on the beneficiaries to make the best of the opportunity presented by the presentation of cheques to them by using the funds for the purpose stipulated.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiru, and his Environment and Ecological Management counterpart, Engr Olusegun Joseph, thanked the Governor for paying due attention to the plight of the rural poor.

Royal Father, the Obaro of Kabba and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland also commended the Governor for his efforts in supporting the agricultural sector.

The beneficiaries in their separate remarks expressed their gratitude to Governor Ododo for the unprecedented prompt payment of salaries, especially the recent payment of June salary before the Sallah celebration festival, saying it’s the first of its kind for the workers of the state civil service.

While appreciating the state government for the opportunity, the beneficiaries assured Governor Ododo of their determination to ensure the judicious use of the loan.

They praised the governor’s commitment to agricultural development and his dedication to improving the lives of the people of Kogi State.

The CRF loan disbursement is a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural development journey, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and the state’s agricultural sector as a whole.