As part of its poverty alleviation and food security policies, Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has empowered about 70,819 farmers with N12 billion through its LAPO Agricultural and Rural Development Initiative (LARDI).
Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, executive director of LAPO who made the disclosure in an interactive session with newsmen in Benin-City said the N12 billion was disbursed to the beneficiaries from 2007 to the last July.
Osehobo who said the beneficiaries cut across 81 branches of LARDI noted that investment in the agricultural sector was one of the sure ways of fighting poverty and food security in the country.
“LARDI was established in May 2007 with the mandate of addressing the challenges that affects the rural economy, such as threat to food security in the rural areas and inadequate extension services that has increased poverty.
“To improve the quality of life of the rural dwellers through committed support for livelihood activities that will energize the rural economy”, she said.
She added that beneficiaries of the loan disbursement cut across all agricultural sector value chains such as livestock, cash crops among others.
The executive director also added that the farmers were provided with high yield inputs,extension services to food crop farmers, mobilization and sensitization, establishment of domestic poultry and fish production as well as provision of financial services.
Meanwhile, LAPO has concluded plans to hold its 23rd Annual Forum in Abuja with the theme, “Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria”.
Osehobo who also gave the hints in Benin-City said the occasion slated for October 18, 2016 would be chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
She explained that the programme was geared towards bringing together stakeholders in the agriculture sector with a view of forging policy to secure food in Nigeria.
She opined that the best way for Nigeria governments to diversify the economy was to invest in manufacturing, mining, agriculture and other non-oil sectors as well as review the existing laws to enable private investors to key into the policy.
IDRIS UMAR MOMOH
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