From Ahmed Muhammed Danasabe, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, in partnership with the World Bank, has flagged off the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) loan disbursement under the ACReSAL project.
The scheme is a proactive initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change and supporting community agricultural efforts.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, in his remarks at the flag-off ceremony at the Government House in Lokoja on Wednesday, expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the project and emphasized his administration’s commitment to agricultural development.
He noted that within five months, his administration has implemented various initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity, including the provision of agricultural machinery for mechanization, agricultural inputs, training, and capacity building for farmers.
“I am fulfilled and grateful to the Almighty God for allowing me to push the State further on the agricultural playing field as we put our bold ideas into practice as we are gathered here to the disbursement of 250 thousand USD Community Revolving Fund (CRF) Loan to 10 communities from two catchment areas of the State where 208 farmers, (of which 70% are women), will benefit from the Community revolving fund, to engage in climate-smart agriculture to improve their livelihood and boost agricultural productivity in Kogi State.
“This project is a stone that will catch two birds. One is the fact that it will address the issue of providing capital for farming. Two, it has put a tempo on our agenda of gender inclusion by empowering our women and launching them into the big farming league.
“My administration sees the ACReSAL Project, which is a partnership with the World Bank, as a green priority for economic prosperity because, its objective which seeks to reduce high poverty rate, reduce land degradation and improve livelihoods, is in line with the vision of our administration which aims to support farmers to boost agricultural production, strengthen institutional capacity, guarantee the safety of the good people of Kogi State, as well as ensure the utilization of technology for the advancement of our vision.
”Let me make it clear here that this is just a pilot scheme as more communities and Local Government Areas of the state would be reached in the second phase. We will put in place, monitoring modalities to ensure the success of the program to get the maximum benefit of the scheme. It is a plan and we modelled it this way to promote a sense of responsibility and accountability by promoting our desire to make the farmers see farming as a big player in the business world. The loan will boost agricultural productivity as well as improve livelihood in the rural areas. We won’t give the loans to big men who are not farmers, but farmers who will become big men in the life of this administration, he added.
He urged the ACReSAL CRF beneficiaries to utilize the loan judiciously, stressing that it is designed to support their agricultural endeavours and improve their livelihoods.
Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Umar Aliyu who was represented by Hon. Jibril Abu, emphasized the importance of partnership for progress, as highlighted in the 17 thematic areas of the SDGs.
He commended the Governor for his leadership and commitment to the development of the state.
Also, the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Barr. Ladi Jatto commended the Governor for his total commitment to the success of the project in the state, saying the Governor has made it easy for the people of Kogi to take advantage of the project.
She called on the beneficiaries to make the best of the opportunity presented by the presentation of cheques to them by using the funds for the purpose stipulated.
Each of the cluster group of farmers went home with 25,000 USD each.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Idris Asiru and his Environment and Ecological Management counterpart, Engr Olusegun Joseph, thanked the Governor for paying due attention to the plight of the rural poor.
The Obaro of Kabba and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland also commended the Governor for his efforts in supporting the agricultural sector. They urged the beneficiaries to ensure timely loan repayment, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and community development.
The beneficiaries in their separate remarks expressed their gratitude to Governor Ododo for the unprecedented prompt payment of salaries especially the recent payment of June salary before the Sallah celebration festival saying it’s the first of its kind for the workers of the state civil service. They maintained that the salary had delivered multiple positive economic improvements on the living standards of the people.
While appreciating the State Government for the opportunity, the beneficiaries assured Governor Ododo of their determination to ensure the judicious use of the loan.
They praised the Governor’s commitment to agricultural development and his dedication to improving the lives of the people of Kogi State.
The CRF loan disbursement is a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural development journey, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and the state’s agricultural sector as a whole.
