Flag-off of disbursement of $250,000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes loan by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Collins Chetuni, Lafia
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule on Sunday flag-off the disbursement of the $250,000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes loan to farmers from 10 communities in the state.
Speaking at the event in the Doma Local Government Area, governor Sule explained that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the state and the Federal Government to support farmers to boost their production.
Sule added that the state government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10,000 farmers in the state to support them for this year’s farming season.
He further narrated that the World Bank’s ACReSAL facility was a revolving loan and interest free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
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He added that the 10 benefiting communities were drawn from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor lamented that climate change had brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers.
He further assured 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.
He said, “To this end, we are partnering with the Federal Government and the World Bank through the ACReSAL project to help vulnerable communities adopt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and generate employment.
“We also expect the support to enhance farmers and communities capacity for climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation.”
While urging all the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for, Governor Sule expressed his gratitude for the selection of Nasarawa State among the piloting states for the scheme.
Earlier in her speech, the Task Team Leader of ACReSAL and Environmental Specialist of World Bank, Dr. Joy Iganya-Agene, said 620 farmers comprising 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs received the free interest agricultural loans.
