Anambra Commences Distribution of I Billion Naira Cheque to Farmere

Anambra Commences Distribution of I Billion Naira Cheque to Farmers

Governor Peter Obi has flagged off the distribution of the commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme to the third Batch of beneficiaries. The ceremony took place at the Women Development Centre Awka.

The third batch of the distribution of the one billion Naira credit scheme involves the disbursement of about 525 million naira to 288 co-operatives society and 273 individuals farmers. This is in addition to about 418 million Naira earlier distributed to 165 cooperative and 166 individuals.

In his speech Governor Obi said the empowerment was in line with the interest his Government had on agriculture. He said the loan would assist in the increase in productivity and would create employment opportunities in the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. He explained that small farmers are in dispensable in building and sustaining the Agricultural sector.

The Governor enjoined the farmers to ensure prompt repayment of the loan to enable other farmers benefit.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ndubisi Menakaya said the State Agricultural policy was geared towards developing Agriculture into viable business, move from subsistent to mechanized Agriculture and attract investors who would help to expand the sector.

Mr Menakaya disclosed that the State would take delivering of over one hundred tractors within the next two months while one of the biggest poultry in Africa, among other big time farmers are coming to invest in the State.

The State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Chief Nnamdi Mekoh said the intervention if well utilized, would translate to significant increase in food production and drastic reduction in dependence on food items from other States, as well as create jobs for youths and women especially.

Some of the beneficiaries Mrs. Constance Okafor, Mr. Jidefor Chukwuma and Mrs. Elizabeth Mbadugha while thanking the Governor for the gesture assured that they would use the fund prudently to boost food production.