By Patrick Odey
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to empower smallholder farmers in Akwa Ibom State under the FarmerMoni scheme to boost food production and livelihoods.
The initiative, part of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, was announced during a sensitisation programme on Thursday in Uyo, the state capital.
The National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Baba, said the intervention targets farmers involved in oil palm, cassava, rice, fisheries, poultry and coconut value chains.
According to him, the scheme will provide recoverable loans with a moratorium of between six and nine months to enable beneficiaries to invest and harvest before repayment.
“FarmerMoni specifically targets smallholder farmers, enabling them to expand production, improve productivity, and ultimately enhance food security across the South-South and the nation at large,” he said.
Baba added that beneficiaries would be monitored through a digital dashboard to ensure accountability and proper utilisation of funds.
He urged farmers to repay the loans to sustain the programme and allow others to benefit.
“Beneficiaries are expected to channel funds into inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, feed, fingerlings, seedlings, and basic farm infrastructure,” he added.
The initiative is being implemented by the National Social Investment Programme Agency as part of efforts to promote financial inclusion and support grassroots farmers.
Speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Emem Ibanga, said the programme aligns with the state government’s development agenda.
Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Offiong Offor, said the state had continued to support farmers through mechanisation and access to equipment.
The programme is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen food security and agricultural productivity.
