Osun Empowers Farmers With N2.2m Loan

Osun State Government, on Monday kicked off its farming empowerment programme with the distribution of N2.2m loans to selected tomatoes and pepper growers.

The empowerment programme, being implemented by the state government through the Osun Micro Credit Agency, was given to the beneficiaries to assist them increase their production capacity.

Presenting the cheque to the beneficiaries on behalf of the state Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, the Manager, Osun Micro Credit Agency, Dayo Babaranti said the gesture was aimed at empowering the farmers, who were mostly youth to be self reliant.

Babaranti while assuring that Oyetola administration would continue to channel efforts towards creating job opportunities for the unemployed youth, said two more phases of the empowerment scheme would be implemented.

He added that apart from the tomatoes growers, cassava and jothropha growers would also benefit from the empowerment scheme being planned by the state government.

He said, “No fewer than 26, 000 people have benefited so far in the loan being dolled out by Osun Micro Credit Agency since its establishment on June 2, 2014.

“First set of beneficiaries of the present empowerment were selected from four local government areas namely; Boluwaduro, Boripe, Obokun and Ifelodun after we inspected their farmland.

“The loan given to the beneficiaries is a test case. I urge you not to disappoint the government. Make judicious use of the money and ensure you refund on or before the stipulated time.”