Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has flagged off the distribution of $250,000 World Bank Loan to 10 rural farmers communities under a project known as Argo-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes ACReSAL.
Speaking shortly after presenting the check to the communities, Governor Namadi described the World Bank intervention as a welcome gesture that is in line with his government’s 12-point agenda.
According to him, empowering rural communities through their own businesses and creating an enabling environment for the sustainable growth of those businesses is clearly outlined in his government’s 12-point agenda, and the World Bank Revolving Fund intervention is designed to achieve this goal.
“I am optimistic that if this money is injected and properly utilized in the ten beneficiary communities, it will make a difference in terms of poverty eradication, job creation, sustainable food security, and development.”
Malam Umar Namadi therefore urged the beneficiaries and funds managers to be honest and fear God in collecting and repayment of the loan for others to benefit.
In his speech, the state Commissioner for Environment Dr Nura Ibrahim explained that the loan was designed to support rural community/farmer groups to undertake investments specific to the climate-smart rain-fed crops intervention which is critical to deliver investment at community and household level.
“CRF is not a grant but rather an investment fund for the village that can revolve and grow over time as an innovative approach to project sustainability under ACReSAL project geared to increase the adoption of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria”.
He said, each eligible farmers group with minimum of 10-25 beneficiary
will receive $25,000 and they are targeting 2,800 group with the loan in the state.
One of the beneficiary from women farmers group Hajiya Iya Wawu expressed their gratitude to the state Governor, world Bank and all the people who contributed for the actualization of the program, and promised to sustained the program.
Also Speaking, the state coordinator of the ACRESAL programe Malam Yahaya Muhammad kafin Gana explained that ten communities were selected to benefit a loan of twenty five thousand United State dollars each.
Yahaya kafin Gana said the communities include Dabi, shafar, Yan Dutse, Auramo and Gilima.
Others are Hantsu, Agufa, Gamafoi, Safa and Gamsarka.
COV/USMAN MZ
