NALDA Earmarks N15bn to Support 5,000 Farmers as Buhari Okays Empowerment of 1000 Imo women in Cassava Production

James Emejo in Abuja

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Mr Paul Ikonne has said that about 5,000 farmers would each access the sum of N3 million to enable them boost productivity and sustain their farms. This would amount to a total of about N15 billion. 

Ikonne said the initiative, which is in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is in form of a grant, which would be spread among beneficiaries across the country.

He added that the facility is a revolving loan that would help reduce unemployment across the country. 

This came as the authority inaugurated the Achara-Ubo Emekuku Integrated Farm Estate in Imo State.

Ikonne also said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the empowerment of 1000 women in cassava production in the state.

He said, “The good thing is that this place will turn to be a training ground for the youths in Imo State.  As they pass through one year here, they will be established and we are partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria to give them support – a grant that they will use to establish their own farms. 

“So for the first one year they will be here, they will get the technical knowledge, they will know how to rear their own animals and then the central bank grant comes in to support their projects.”

He added that the farm would provide 600 direct employments to farmers in poultry, piggery and goatry while 200 additional farmers would be engaged in processing, packaging and export. 

The NALDA boss, at the inauguration, pointed out that about 1,000 farmers will be engaged in the area of animal husbandry, processed and packaged products within the first year of the entire project.

He said, “Achara-Ubo farm is expected to take in 600 farmers, the processing and packaging section will soon start, which will take in additional 200 people and the crop section will soon start because we have provided the tractors.

“This farm will be a center that will train farmers within and outside Imo State and the 200 beneficiaries have been trained and empowered with the knowledge and they are the first set of people to benefit from this project and as they pass out in the next six months, they will sort their own farming activities and another set of people will come in.”

He said the farm activation further reaffirmed Buhari’s passion to grow the agricultural sector as well as strengthen the rural economy adding that the president had also approved the rehabilitation of Songhai Farm.