By Barnabas Esiet.
NIRSAL Plc, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiative, has successfully completed a mid-year training program for over 2,000 lead farmers and extension agents across four states: Imo, Sokoto, Kwara, and Oyo.
The program aims to enhance farmers’ capacities to access and repay commercial loans, promoting agricultural productivity and sustainability.
The training sessions, held in urban and rural locations, focused on efficient models for fish production in Imo and Sokoto States, while Oyo and Kwara States concentrated on cassava production.
Head of Value Chain Capacity Development at NIRSAL Plc, Ibrahim Suleiman, said that the capacity development programme involves an estimated 6,000 farmers across the states
State government representatives attended the program, demonstrating their commitment to agricultural development.
NIRSAL’s approach emphasizes the Agro Geo-Cooperative model, targeting lead farmers who can share new knowledge with their cooperative members.
This approach ensures that the training benefits a broader spectrum of farmers across the states.
The program received positive feedback from participants, who appreciated the new insights gained and pledged to share them with their cooperative members.
The training also covered essential topics such as cooperative governance, protocol breaches, and early warning systems.
NIRSAL Plc’s Technical Assistance pillar offers capacity development programs like this one, de-risking agriculture and agribusiness financing in Nigeria.
By stimulating finance and investment in the Agricultural Value Chain, NIRSAL aims to promote sustainable agricultural growth and development.
The success of this program demonstrates NIRSAL’s commitment to empowering farmers and promoting agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
As the organization continues to implement its initiatives, it is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s agricultural sector, contributing to food security and economic growth.
Comment here