Those interest-free loans to Katsina farmers

Although their efforts have led to mass food production and the development of the sector, in their own ways, rising population, rural migration and growing urbanization raise the stake and further expose the state to the challenges of growing food insecurity; a drastic measure therefore needs to be taken. It was in an effort to […]

Although their efforts have led to mass food production and the development of the sector, in their own ways, rising population, rural migration and growing urbanization raise the stake and further expose the state to the challenges of growing food insecurity; a drastic measure therefore needs to be taken. It was in an effort to ensure these four critical processes in achieving food security that the state Governor Ibrahim Shema introduced three critical steps to tackle food security in the state.

These steps are the distribution of interest free agricultural loans, purchase of adequate fertilizer and accessories, the provision of tractors, and supply of water tankers and waste evacuation trucks. On interest-free loan, recently over 720 million naira was distributed as interest-free loans to three categories of farmers. These are subsistence, youth and medium scale farmers in the state.

Under the arrangement, 250 million naira interest-free was distributed to farmers in the 34 local government areas, apart from additional 210 million naira given to youth and another 250 million naira to medium scale businesses. The idea was to protect the interest of the farmers who are year in year out forced to trade back their farm produce to pay back loans collected either from Banks or individuals.

Under the current arrangement, each farmer is entitled to an interest free loan apart from adequate fertilizer provided under the accelerated agricultural support initiative of the state government. The disbursed loans will not only boost agricultural output and ensure food security, they will also rid families of burden to repayment and bondage occasioned by the tradition of existing loans systems that only enslave the farmer.

This is a new wisdom introduced by the governor to promote food production in the remotest community of the state who may not have access to the volume of fertilizer they require for their farming. More so, unlike previous administrations, the state government introduced one of the most reliable fertilizer distribution systems, guaranteeing that the commodity reaches bona fide farmers without the usual diversion experienced year in year out in the state.

Traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, elders, youth associations who are into farming are equally and separately supplied with the commodity directly without the usual process that allows manipulations and diversion. The civil servants and civil service unions have not been excluded from this innovation. To further encourage youth into farming, in each of these polling units, two young farmers were identified and issued with additional fertilizer to assist and encourage them into farming.

Agriculture, generally, is not only about feeding, it is more than just food security; it is about employment, crime prevention, health development, social cohesion and human dignity and upliftment. At a time when issues such as the increasing burden on states over wages, and the continuous debate on the future of the federation, it takes leadership to realize the potentials abound in the state and take steps to begin to direct the state towards self-reliance and sustainability.

Kagara wrote from Dutsinma, Katsina State ([email protected])