Akwa Ibom hosts FG’s FarmerMoni to boost agribusiness in South-South

…Beneficiary farmers get N300,000 each

The Federal Government’s FarmerMoni scheme is gaining access in the South-South, with renewed efforts to stimulate rural economies and support smallholder farmers, traders and micro-entrepreneurs.

This was the target of a South-South media sensitisation and outreach, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where stakeholders converged to deepen awareness and strengthen implementation of the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (RH-GEEP 3.0).

The programme, implemented by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, provides collateral-free loans of up to N300,000 to eligible beneficiaries to boost agricultural productivity, expand rural enterprises and agribusiness.

Speaking at the event, Hazmat Ibrahim Baba, the National Programme manager of FarmerMoni, said that the initiative was designed to unlock grassroots economic opportunities, by providing access to finance for citizens excluded from formal credit systems.

He said that effective mobilisation, accurate beneficiary profiling and strict monitoring are critical to achieving the programme’s objectives, adding that desk officers have been deployed across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State to drive implementation.

Baba commended the State Government’s investments in agriculture, particularly in mechanised farming and food production, describing them as a strong complement to federal interventions.

On her part, Emem Ibango, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, said that the scheme aligns with the Akwa Ibom State’s commitment to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

She described FarmerMoni, as a practical tool for financial inclusion, urging beneficiaries to utilise the loans responsibly to ensure sustainability and wider impact.

Also Speaking, Offiong Offor, Commissioner for Agriculture said that the State would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government to advance its agricultural transformation agenda, noting that rural economic growth remains central to achieving food security and long-term economic stability.

Ifeoma Chukwuba, Programme Representative, said that the initiative targets key agricultural value chains, including poultry, fisheries and crop production, with flexible repayment periods of six to nine months.

She urged beneficiaries to form cooperative clusters to improve access to funding, accountability and impact.

Stakeholders at the event, including farmer groups and disability advocates, called for inclusive implementation to ensure women, rural dwellers and persons with disabilities are not left behind.