NDE disburses N9.3m loan to 93 farmers in Bauchi
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), says it has disbursed N9.3 million to 93 smallholder farmers to boost animal and crop production in Bauchi State.
Mr Mbata Michael, Director, Rural Employment Promotion Department, NDE Headquarters, disclosed this at a 5-day agricultural extension training for the beneficiaries, on Thursday in Bauchi.
Michael, represented by Mr Farouk Farouk, Senior Rural Employment Promotion Officer, said that each of the beneficiaries received N100,000 loan to increase their productions.
He said that the facility was part of programmes initiated by the Director-General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Fikpo, to encourage crop and animal productions.
“The facility has a six months moratorium period before commencement of repayment and it will be repaid within 30 months.
“It is designed for farmers in different areas, those in commercial farming trying to sustain their businesses and those who are likely to start up agricultural businesses.
“Many of them are doing one or two things in agriculture and the money is to augment their businesses,” he said.
The director urged the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilisation of the facility to expand their businesses.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, commended the gesture, adding that it would boost crop and livestock production in the state.
Meanwhile, the NDE’s State Coordinator, Mr Lawan Yaya, said the directorate had concluded arrangements to train 50 agricultural extension workers in the 20 local government areas of the state.
Yaya said the exercise was to complement Federal Government’s efforts towards encouraging agricultural production through improved farmer support services.
