ABP SUPPORTS 475 FEMALE CASSAVA FARMERS IN UYO THROUGH NIRSAL’s EMPOWERMENT SCHEME


The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL Plc, is commissioning 475 female farmers in Uyo for cassava production during the 2020 wet season farming. In line with its Agro Geo-Cooperative® (AGC) model, NIRSAL Plc formed from these female Uyo farmers, a group which was aptly named ‘the Uyo Women Agro Geo-Cooperative’.

From then on, the 475 female farmers were trained on Good Agronomic Practices and received other contributions for their use. Also, all 478 hectares of land to be used by the Uyo Women Agro Geo-Cooperative will be mechanized throughout the planting season to enhance yields & profits and eliminate the stress of farming with crude implements.

Furthermore, the Uyo Women AGC members will receive financing through Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for which NIRSAL Plc plays a critical role of a Participating Financial Institution (PFI) to ascertain that the goal of CBN and the Federal Government to have developmental and economic diversification is met.

To officialize activities, the distribution of inputs to the farmers was commenced by NIRSAL Plc during a ceremony held at Anang People Primary School, Obio Ndot, Oruk Anam LGA of Akwa Ibom State. On this occasion, Mrs. Theresa Thompson Akpan, the President of the Uyo Women AGC, described the CBN’s support through NIRSAL as a milestone in enhancing cassava production in the state.

She encouraged the Uyo Women AGC farmers to embrace NIRSAL Plc’s approach to farming as a business in order to move from peasant farming to sustainable agribusiness. She expressed appreciation towards NIRSAL Plc for harnessing the female farmers’ potential and for extending its continuous support of agribusiness in Akwa Ibom State.

Aliyu Abdulhameed, the organization’s Managing Director/CEO, speaking through Helen Akula, the Head of NIRSAL Plc’s Akwa Ibom State Project Monitoring, Reporting and Remediation Office (PMRO), noted that NIRSAL Plc’s support of Uyo Women AGC will not only empower the 475 farmers of the AGC but will create job opportunities for many families in the community, and achieve NIRSAL Plc’s mission of creating partnerships between finance and agriculture while achieving food security, creating jobs and enhancing economic growth.

He further stated that through the ABP, the farmers have the privilege of commercial financing, thereby paving the way for a better life. He however reminded the farmers that the input they received that day was not a grant but a loan, hence, it must be paid back for other farmers to also benefit from. He expressed faith in all the farmers that together as a team every kobo loaned will be repaid with ample profit left in the bank for them to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Desmond Ushe, the Acting Head of the CBN’s Akwa Ibom State Development Finance Office, also speaking at the event, noted that with the integration of NIRSAL’s AGC concept, there will be a significant decrease in risks while boosting the participation of farmers in the ABP. Ushe further solicited for sincerity and commitment from the farmers to compliment that of Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the CBN, whom he said possesses the utmost passion for the ABP and for economic growth in Nigeria through agriculture.

NIRSAL Plc’s regional and nationwide support for farmers under the ABP was showcased at this event. Recent results have shown the progress that NIRSAL has been making in this regard. For instance, in the South-South states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta, a total of 2,872 rice, maize and cassava farmers belonging to Uyo Women AGC, Pemo Anegbette AGC, Upalibuisi AGC, Southern Basin AGC, Integrated AGC, Ijeoma Aibiokula AGC, Green Money Initiative AGC and God’s Own AGC are receiving NIRSAL’s support while a total of 44,670 farmers cultivating on 68,771 hectares of land are benefiting in many Nigerian states.

In addition, rice, maize, cassava, sesame and soybean farmers in the Northern states of Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi states and the FCT were recently supported towards an increase in yields and improvement in livelihoods following NIRSAL Plc’s support for their 2020 wet season farming activities also under the ABP.