2,550 Plateau farmers get loan to improve food production



Jos - 2,550 farmers registered with the Plateau State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN are to benefit from the over N2bn loan under the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN anchor borrowers' programme to cultivate maize and soya beans in this farming season so that the food security can be achieved in the State.

The Association which has gotten approval for the said loan is to give it to 150 registered farmers from the 17 local government area of the State totalling 2,550 even as it has also secured improved seedlings, fertilizer and other farm inputs which would help the beneficiaries in making profit so that they can repay the loan.

Disclosing these during a press briefing held at the weekend in Jos, the state chairman of the Association, John Jiller added that intensive meetings are ongoing with herdsmen and security agencies to ensure farmers are safe in their farms as only such collaboration would ensure food security and improved income and livelihood of farmers in the state.

His words, "AFAN has sought and gotten approval for a loan of N2,128,125,000.00 under the CBN anchor borrowers' programme for on lending to its members for maize and soya beans farming in this farming season. We are targeting 150 farmers per local government area, we are discussing with ASTC towards accessing their tractors and other allied services, there are seedlings and fertilisers and other inputs.

" The Association is preparing towards leading the role in the state government's proposed schools feeding programme so we are liaising with security agencies and building business relationships with herdsmen, traders and marketers association towards sustaining peace in the state as we are focused in ensuring food security, increase and improve quantity and quality of agricultural products in the state as well as improve income and livelihood of Plateau farmers. "

End.

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