By Adadareporters
A number of 302 farmers have been given interest-free loans by the government of Abia State.
This was disclosed by Governor Alex Otti during the flag-off of the disbursement of the agric loans to the successful Abia trained farmers from CSS Global Integrated Farms, Nasarawa State, which held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Otti, represented by his chief of staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said the scheme was aimed at providing the citizens with the needed support to make the most out of the resources across their communities.
He said the event marked the fulfilment of his promise to offer the trainees the financial leverage to establish their agro-ventures.
In his words, “This initiative is strategic and showcases our commitment towards making agriculture a cornerstone of economic development.
“The Labour Party government is committed to innovative approaches, as evidenced by our governance over the past 16 months. We are focused on uplifting the economic and social conditions of our people.”
Governor Otti said the event demonstrated his administration’s commitment to making agriculture a major fulcrum of economic development and set the foundation for a new model of empowerment.
Quoting him, “The government will in the next few weeks announce new sets of programmes to cushion the effect of the hardship many individuals and families are passing through presently. What I can immediately assure you is that we are mindful of the current state of hardship in the land and will not just leave you unsupported.”
He told the beneficiaries that the government “expects much from them”, adding that a strict monitoring had been developed by the state ministry of agriculture and the Agricultural Development Programme to ensure that the funds were judiciously utilised.
The commissioner for agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, commended Governor Otti for the feat, adding that, “The objective of the training is to transform agriculture from a mere subsistence engagement to a business that not only puts food on the table, makes one food self-reliant and secure but also puts money in their individual pockets, that of the state and ultimately makes them a net exporter of processed agricultural products.”
One of the beneficiaries commended Governor Otti for his sustained support to them throughout their training at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State and assured him that they would put the funds into good use.
