The Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL is seeking for a robust partnership with the Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Path-Initiative, FEYReP, through the formation of Agro Geo Cooperative to enroll, profile and structure farmers in Akwa Ibom for commercial farming and as well facilitate the flow of finance to them.
The body which is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will help deliver food security, financial inclusion, wealth creation and economic growth in the state through collaboration with FEYReP.
The Head Uyo Project Monitoring, Reporting and Remediation Office, Madam Helen Akula, stated this during a courtesy call on the Wife of the State Governor, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel at Government House, Uyo.
Madam Akula informed the Governor’s wife that NIRSAL exist to create “a handshake between Agricultural Value Chain and Financial sector to boost productivity, food security and the profitability of agribusiness in Nigeria”.
She said the Credit Risk Guarantee Value Chains which serves as a buffer that encourages investor to fund verified bankable projects was the body’s strategy to reach its target group.
She pointed out that through the Anchor Borrower’s Program, Uyo Women Agro Link AGC and WALIF with four hundred and seventy-five farmers for cultivation of cassava in Aya Obio Akpa in Oruk Anam Local Government Area was approved by Central Bank of Nigeria and with funds disbursed in 2020.
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Responding, the wife of Governor, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel appreciated the group for their efforts and stated that she was open for any collaborative effort that would be beneficial to the people of the state.
She pointed out that it had been the desire of the Governor to see the state produce what it consumes, thus the massive investments in the agricultural sector.
She expressed the hope that the partnership will open up new frontiers in the agricultural sector to boost food production.
The Governor’s wife said, more awareness needed to be created by the body to educate farmers on how to access grants, stating that it will also help enhance productivity and as well improve the economy of the state.
Dr. Emmanuel assured the visitors of her readiness to work with the group to ensure that set targets were achieved for the benefit of all.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Mr. Ndianabasi Udom, the Coordinator of FEYREP, Mrs. Ime Inyang, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Matters, Mrs. Rose Wills as well as Management Staff of NIRSAL graced the event.
