In fulfillment of part of the ACReSAL PDO, which is the enhancement of the Livelihood of rural farmers, Kogi State ACReSAL Project has trained communities in the Omigbo and Etahi watersheds in the State, on the implementation of Community Revolving Fund…
At the opening of the 3-day event at Etahi-Okene, the Project Coordinator, Kogi State ACReSAL, Barr., Ladi Ahmed Jatto (OON) said, CRF is an investment fund aimed at supporting rural farmers using Climate Smart Agricultural methods of farming.
The Project Coordinator, who was represented by the Social Livelihood Officer, Suleiman Obansa, stressed that since the funds was a LOAN and not a GRANT, beneficiaries in each community must ensure that the aims of the CRF initiative, which is to bring about sustainability and scaling up, is achieved, as it is one way to appreciate the unwavering support of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, without which the Project would have been struggling in the State.
Also, speaking, Vivien Yunusa, the Desk Officer for CRF said that CRF was an initiative to assist farmers to enhance the Livelihood of communities.
According to her, the soft loans are expected to REVOLVE within the communities through different Cooperative Societies.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Abuh Ameh of the State focal NGO emphasized the need for a BUSINESS PLAN for the cooperative societies, as the only way to ensure that the loan is invested wisely.
Other paper presentations include – “Methods of Grain Preservation; preparation of business plans, financial management and the core components of CRF”.
Participants were drawn from the CIGs, CRFMC, LGPMC & CBAs in Etahi and Omigbo communities.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Alabi Moses from Ogori-Magongo Community, and Sherifatu Amodu from Checkpoint Community in Okene, both commended the Kogi State Government, World Bank, ACReSAL Project and for the foresight in initiating the CRF Project, which would go a long way towards ameliorating the suffering of the benefitting communities, as it is designed to have trickle down effects.
The highlight of the 3-day event was the formation of Community Based Agents (CBAs) in all the Communities where the CRF is being implemented.
Kogi ACReSAL… Greening the Environment… Saving Lives!!!
