22,000 Farmers to Benefit From FG Empowerment Programme

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) says no fewer than 22,000 farmers will benefit from the FarmerMoni initiative under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP-3.0).

AFAN national president, Muhammad Magaji, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja on the sidelines of the RH-GEEP 3.0 flag-off of the FarmerMoni Dry and Wet Season programme.

The event also featured the inauguration of the FarmerMoni Technical Working Group, with the theme, “Grassroots Impact for National Growth”.

Mr Magaji commended the federal government for co-opting the association into the programme, noting that it targets small-scale farmers across the 774 local government areas (LGAs) of the country.

He said smallholder farmers required support from federal, state and local governments to thrive and sustain their livelihoods.

Mr Magaji added that AFAN would ensure that genuine farmers benefit from the initiative rather than “portfolio farmers”.

“The unveiling is very timely. Giving farmers inputs late is dangerous to achieving the government’s food security drive,” he said.

He appealed to the government to ensure timely release of funds and farm inputs to enable farmers begin activities at the appropriate planting period.

“We need this support at the right time. Providing inputs and equipment when due will enhance productivity and strengthen food security.

“AFAN will work with the implementing agency and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this programme.

“The programme is targeted at small-scale farmers registered with the association. It is a laudable development aimed at assisting grassroots farmers cultivating one hectare or less,” Mr Magaji added.

Earlier, the national programme manager of GEEP at the National Social Investment Agency (NSIA), Hamza Baba, described GEEP as a structured social investment microcredit initiative aligned with the National Development Plan (2026–2030).

Mr Baba said the programme was designed to strengthen livelihoods, promote enterprise growth and support poverty reduction.

He noted that the full rollout of FarmerMoni was a key component of GEEP aimed at boosting agricultural productivity by linking finance to extension services, value chains and business support.

According to him, FarmerMoni provides interest-free loans of up to N300,000 to smallholder farmers to enable them access seeds, fertilisers, equipment and other essential inputs.

“The programme is designed to strengthen smallholder farmers, increase productivity and empower them to thrive,” he said.

Mr Baba explained that the initiative offers loans of up to N300,000 with zero interest and no collateral requirement, along with a six-month moratorium before repayment.

He added that it focuses on women, youth and vulnerable farmer groups and will be implemented nationwide across the six geopolitical zones.

He noted that the project targets more than 22,000 poor and vulnerable farmers operating at subsistence level.

According to him, each beneficiary is entitled to N300,000, a figure determined based on the economic realities of various farming activities.

“The programme covers all 774 LGAs, with each LGA expected to have a minimum of 28 beneficiaries.

“By the end of March, farmers should begin to receive the funds to support their farming activities.

“Beneficiaries must come through AFAN to prevent the process from being hijacked by non-genuine farmers,” Mr Baba added.

(NAN)