Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday flagged off the disbursement of $250,000 US dollars World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) revolving loan to 620 farmers.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the farmers are drawn from 10 communities in the state.
Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area, the governor said that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the Federal and state governments to support farmers to mitigate the impact of climate change and boost food production.
Sule said that as part of effort to boost food production, the state government recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10,000 farmers in the state.
The governor explained that the ACReSAL revolving interest-free fund under its Community Climate Resilience (CCR) component, would help to boost agricultural output and improve the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
He said that the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas.
Sule noted that climate change had brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers, adding that the intervention would go a long way to ameliorate their plight.
He said 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.
“To this end, Nasarawa state is partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project to help the vulnerable communities to adapt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and create employment opportunity especially among the vulnerable groups including persons with special needs, women and youth.
“The project will also enhance farmers and communities capacity of climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation, increase community farmers understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, and to help address local conflicts and foster peace,” Sule said.
The governor said that the financial support was specifically targeted at registered ACReSAL communities and farmer groups across the state.
He pointed out that the revolving fund would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives and ensure sustainability beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.
He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant.
In her remarks, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene, Task Team Leader ACReSAL, said that 620 beneficiaries comprised 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs.
Iganya-Agene, who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist,World Bank Nigeria Office, said five communities each from the benefiting LGAs were selected for the gesture.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alh. Aliyu Ogah, the Andoma of Doma, thank the State, Federal government and World Bank for the gesture to farmers in his domain.
The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help towards improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities. (NAN
