Rabiu. Omaku
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule at the weekend flagged off the disbursement of $250, 000 World Bank-facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) loan to 10 farming communities in the State.
The State Governor while speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area of the State said that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the Federal and State Government to support farmers to boost food production.
Abdullahi Sule reiterated that the State Government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10, 000 farmers in the State to support farming as well as to enhance agriculture in the State.
He explained that the ACRESAL loan is revolving and interest-free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
He added that the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas of the State.
The Governor added that climate change has brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers, describing farming as the preoccupation of the people of Nasarawa State.
He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with foreign partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in Nasarawa State.
“To this end, We are partnering with the World Bank, the Federal Government through ACReSAL project to help vulnerable communities to adopt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve the 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.
The Governor expressed appreciation for the selection of Nasarawa State amongst the right piloting States for the scheme.
He said the State Government would support farmers in implementing community climate-resilient initiatives beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.
He therefore urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for.
Dr Joy Iganya-Agene, The Task Team Leader of ACReSAL stated that 620 farmers comprising 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the Doma and Toto were given the free interest agricultural loan.
Agene,a Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Nigeria Office said five communities from each of the two Local Governments benefited from the loan.
The Andoma of Doma and Chairman Doma Traditional Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah, on behalf of the benefiting farmers in Doma expressed gratitude to the State Government and the organisation for the gesture accorded to farmers in his domain.
The paramount ruler expressed optimism that the support would go a along way towards improving farm produce of farmers in the benefiting communities.
