The Federal Government has partnered with the Niger State Government to provide N180 million in interest-free loans to 600 small-scale farmers.
The initiative falls under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), managed by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). It aims to improve agricultural productivity and expand access to finance for smallholder farmers.
The National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Baba, disclosed this on Saturday in Minna during the commencement of the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise. The event also featured training for programme desk officers from the state’s 25 local government areas.
Baba said the loans would help farmers purchase agricultural inputs, expand production and improve their livelihoods.
FarmerMoni sets loan repayment terms
Under the FarmerMoni scheme, each eligible farmer will receive N300,000 in interest-free loans.
Beneficiaries will have one year to repay the funds. However, repayment will begin six months after farming activities commence. This arrangement will give farmers time to invest in production before meeting their repayment obligations.
Baba said the programme would cover crop cultivation, poultry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture.
The enumeration exercise will involve identifying, registering and verifying farmers. Applicants must provide their National Identification Numbers (NIN), digital photographs and biometric information.
Officials will also verify farmland locations and details of agricultural activities before approving beneficiaries.
Niger introduces digital verification measures
The Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ibrahim Inga, described the initiative as a boost to existing poverty reduction programmes.
He said collaboration among relevant stakeholders would promote transparency and ensure that genuine farmers benefit from the loans.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment Programme, Hauwa Mohammed, said the state had equipped desk officers with tablets for the registration exercise.
The devices will help officials capture farmers’ personal information and verify farmland locations. According to her, the digital process will also help prevent fictitious beneficiaries from accessing the funds.
GEEP will work with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and local government officials to monitor loan utilisation and repayment.
The FarmerMoni intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve agricultural financing and support small-scale producers across the country.
