Nasarawa disburses $250, 000 ACReSAL loan to 10 farming communities.
By Aliyu Umar Maraki
Gov.ernor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has flagged off the disbursement of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes ACReSAL loan to farmers from ten communities in the state.
The disbursement took took place in yelwa community of Doma local government area of the State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the disbursement was in line with the vision of the state and Federal Government to support farmers to boost production of farm produce.
Sule added that the state government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10, 000 farmers in the state to support farming.
According to him, the ACReSAL loan is a revolving and interest free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
He said that the ten benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas of the state.
The Governor maintained that climate change has brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers.
He added that the state government had recently distributed twenty three tractors and farm inputs to ten thousand farmers in the state to support farming.
Governor Abdullahi Sule said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.
“To this end, We are partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project help vulnerable communities to adopt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and generate employment.
“Enhance farmers and communities capacity for climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation and enhance understanding of sustainable agricultural practices to help address conflicts,” Sule added.
Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed appreciation for the selection of the State among the right piloting states for the scheme.
He said that the state government would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project as well as warned the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for.
Speaking earlier, Task Team Leader ACReSAL Dr. Joy Iganya-Agene- said the six hundred and twenty farmers comprising three hundred and thirty seven male and two hundred and fifty three female from the ten communities of the two local government areas were given the free interest agricultural loan.
Dr. Iganya-Agene who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Nigeria Office said five communities from each of the two local government areas benefited from the loan.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, The Andoma of Doma Alhaji Aliyu Ogah Onawo expressed optimism that the support would go along way toward improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities of the two local government areas in the state.
The Royal Father also expressed gratitude to the state government and the organisation for the gesture to farmers in his domain.
