Nasarawa State distributes $250,000 World Bank loan to 620 farmers

The governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has started to provide 620 farmers with a $250,000 revolving loan that was made possible by the World Bank as part of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) program.

These farmers have been selected for the initiative; they are from ten different villages in the state.

Governor Sule, speaking at the inaugural event in Doma Local Government Area, reaffirmed the federal and state government’s commitment to assisting farmers in reducing the negative impacts of climate change while enhancing food production. 

The Agro-Climate Fund’s distribution

The governor outlined recent initiatives taken by the state government to increase agricultural output, such as the delivery of farm inputs and 23 tractors to 10,000 farmers statewide.

He underlined how crucial the Community Climate Resilience (CCR) component of the ACReSAL revolving interest-free fund is to boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing beneficiaries’ quality of life.

Governor Sule underlined the importance of the involvement in easing the suffering of farmers and the threats that climate change poses to the environment and their means of subsistence.

He promised to keep working with partners to supply resources and assistance to reduce the effects of climate change and tackle poverty in the state. 

The governor gave a summary of the goals of the ACReSAL project, which include boosting community income, promoting food security, and providing jobs—particularly for vulnerable populations like women, young people, and people with special needs. Sustainable agricultural practices are also intended to promote peace.

“To assist vulnerable communities in adapting to the effects of climate change, Nasarawa State is collaborating with the Federal Government and the World Bank through the ACReSAL project.”

“We anticipate that this support will result in food security, raise community income, and open up job opportunities, particularly for women, young people, and people with special needs who are vulnerable.” 

“The project will also increase community farmers’ understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, help address local conflicts and foster peace, and enhance farmers’ and communities’ capacity of climate-smart agriculture through technology and innovation,” Sule concluded.

He reminded beneficiaries of the value of supporting community-driven, climate-resilient projects with the revolving fund and advised them to use the monies wisely for their intended purposes.

Things to Note

The 620 beneficiaries, who come from 10 communities spread over two local government areas, are made up of 367 men and 253 women, according to Dr. Joy Iganya-Agene, Task Team Leader of ACReSAL.  

Alh. Aliyu Ogah, the Andoma of Doma, spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries and thanked the government and the World Bank for the gesture. He was hopeful that the help would increase the production of farmers in the villages that would benefit.