By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Farmers in Niger have been applauded for attaining over 95% in the refund of the interest free credit facilities they accessed from the One Acre Fund to enhance farming activities in the state
The Coordinated of Credit facility department of One Acre Fund Nigeria, Alhaji Yusuf Kasim stated this on Thursday during the Farmers Harvest Day celebration in Bosso area of Niger state.
According to him, “Niger state farmers are excellent in the repayment of credit facilities given to them by One Acre Fund and this is the reason for the priority attention we are giving to our farmers here. We have arrangement for refund of the credit facilities in instalment which makes it possible for farmers to be comfortable in the repayment process. I can tell you that over 95 percent of the farmers are repaying the credit facility and this has encouraged us to concentrate on assisting them in the state”.
Kasim explained that the organisation has put in a robust measure to ensure farmers don’t default in repayment adding that, ” we have conditional pardon for groups where someone or more defaulted. Other members of the group are allowed to continue while only the defaulters are dropped”.
He described the credit facilities to include improved seedlings, fertilizers and other agriculture inputs in addition to training of participating farmers on modern agriculture practices to enhance production.
In a remark, the traditional ruler of Bosso, Alhaji Mohammed Dada commended the One Acre Fund for the positive changes now enjoyed by his subjects in farming communities.
He said that the living standards of the farmers in his kingdom have been tremendously transformed with bumper harvest and economic employment.
The royal father however appealed to the management of One Acre Fund to relax some stringent rules on collective punishment on groups with defaulters explaining that only those that defaults should face punishment.
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