The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) has introduced credit risk guarantee processes and agro geo-cooperative financing models to improve farmers’ access to loans and boost food production in Nigeria.
At a two-day capacity development program for cassava farmers and extension agents in Ilorin, Kwara State, the team lead of the trainers, Adaku Obikwere, highlighted the focus on project structuring, access to finance, and sustainability within the cassava value chain. Participants were trained on modern and efficient value chain operations to strengthen their productivity and market connections.
“This program aims to fix the agricultural value chain by connecting farmers and input suppliers to every segment of the chain, all the way to the market,” Obikwere said.
She emphasized that enhancing farmers’ production capacities in Kwara State, a significant cassava-producing region, would lead to increased productivity, job creation, and thriving rural economies.
“The initiative, part of NIRSAL’s Technical Assistance pillar, seeks to enhance farmers’ capabilities to qualify for, obtain, and repay commercial loans. Similar training programs are being conducted simultaneously across the South-East, South-West, and North-West regions,” she added.
Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Farmers’ Intervention, Hon. Abdullahi Sulaiman, praised the efforts of the current administration in the state.
He noted that the capacity development program is expected to significantly impact the agricultural sector, fostering sustainability and economic growth.
“The administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is implementing various measures and collaborating with different stakeholders to ensure zero hunger and boost food security in the state,” Sulaiman said.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting farmers through strategic partnerships and interventions.
NIRSAL, a non-bank financial institution wholly owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), covers 18 commodities, including crops, livestock, poultry, and fishery sectors, underscoring its comprehensive approach to agricultural development.