By: Wilson Bako (Lafia),
Nasarawa State Government has disbursed a total sum of $250, 000 World Bank-facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Loan to farmers from 10 communities in the state.
Addressing beneficiaries of the loan facilities, at Doma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Saturday, the state Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, explained that the loan facilities were in line with the vision of his administration and that of the Federal Government, which is aimed at encouraging farmers to boost food production in the country.
The state Chief Executive, Governor Sule, also disclosed that the State Government has recently distributed a total number of 23 tractors including farm inputs to 10,000 farmers in the state to assist them in their respective farms.
According to the Governor, the ACReSAL Loan is a revolving scheme that is interest-free to farmers. Adding that, it would assist greatly in promoting agricultural activities, as well as, improve the well-being of the beneficiaries.
He pointed out that the 10 benefiting communities were drawn from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
He, however, noted with sadness that climate change has brought about devastating effects on the environment and the livelihood of farmers.
The Governor, however, assured the state citizens that his administration would continue to collaborate with partner agencies to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.
He also made public that the State Government would work in collaboration with the Federal Government, and the World Bank through the ACReSAL project to assist vulnerable communities in adapting to the devastating effects of climate change
Governor Sule, advised the beneficiaries to ensure the judicious use of the funds and for the purpose for which it was given to them.
In her speech at the occasion, the Task Team Leader of ACReSAL, Dr. Joy Iganya-Agene, disclosed that 620 farmers, comprising of 367 males and 253 females from the 10 communities of the two benefiting LGAs were given the free interest agricultural loan.
Dr. Iganya-Agene, who also doubles as the Senior Environmental Specialist of the World Bank Nigerian Office said, “Five communities from each of the two LGA benefited from the loan”.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Andoma of Doma, Aliyu Ogah, was full of gratitude to the State Government and the organization, for their kind gesture to the farmers in his domain.
He noted that such an initiative would no doubt assist in improving food production in the country while warning the beneficiaries against diverting the facilities for a different purpose but rather make judicious use of the loan facility.
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