By Omotayo Edubi
Farmers in Oyo State have praised the Federal Government for promising to provide N600 billion zero interest loan support for 2.4 million farmers in the country.
The farmers made the commendation in an interview with journalists on Monday in Ibadan.
The Federal Government had said that it had set aside N600 billion zero interest loan support for 2.4 million farmers across the country through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS).
Dr Mohammed Abubakar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, had made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday during the opening of the National Agricultural Show/Exhibition of the 2021 World Food Day.
A crop farmer, Mr David Ogundele, said that the decision was commendable and would help to alleviate the suffering of farmers.
Ogundele said that the support would also help farmers to improve food production.
He, however, appealed to the government to ensure effective implementation.
“It is a good intention but government really needs to follow it up.
“Since all farmers are under the All Framers Association of Nigeria (AFAN); the association’s leaders should be involved in the disbursement.
“If the loan can be disbursed properly, it will contribute in no small way to the development of agriculture in the country.
This will propel increment in the supply of foods to the society and supply of raw materials to industries.
“Also, it will reduce poverty and unemployment because many people will be engaged in one way or the other through farming,’’ the farmer said.
Another farmer, Mr Tayo Ojekemi, also lauded the government for the decision, urging that the loan should be disbursed to genuine farmers.
“The government should ensure that the loan is disbursed and monitored by the local government directors of agriculture, AFAN, federal, state and local government representatives.
“There is need to empower all departments in federal, state and local governments; universities, polytechnics and some other government agencies to participate in farming,” he said.
A tomato farmer, Mr Adetunji Ajani, thanked the government for the promise, saying that it showed that it had the interest of farmers at heart.
He said that the loan would help grassroots farmers to improve production.
“If farmers have access to loan, they will see farming as a major business and produce in large quantities; this will drastically reduce the price of food items.
“The loan disbursement should be given to the Bank of Agriculture for registered farmers to access easily and repay,’’ Ajani said.