In a bid to boost food production in Osun State and reduce the hardship that farmers go through in accessing agricultural credit facilities, the Osun Ajo Se Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in partnership with Association of Grain Processors and Allied Produce Farmers of Nigeria (AGPAPFN), organised a seminar in Oshogbo, to educate farmers on how to take advantage of agricultural credit facilities.
The state Chairman of AGPAPFN, Agboluaje Mudasiru, said farmers, who should be the beneficiaries of agricultural credit facilities were either unaware of existing loan services or do not have information on the terms of loans. He gave such terms as loan requirements, interest rates, loanable amount and mode of repayment.
Sterling Bank Plc’s Southwest Agric Officer, Latona Olabode Felix, who represented the Group Head, Agric Finance, revealed that the bank is a major financier of agriculture in Nigeria and is ever ready to partner with major stakeholders–both private and public in the sector to bring about agricultural development in Nigeria.
Olabode highlighted the various Sterling Bank Plc Agric Credit Schemes and how farmers can access them. He, however, advised them to always ensure that they have their farm records ready, adding that farm records are not only useful in managing farm budgets but will also be needed to determine if farms are performing well, as required when applying for agric loans.
The Chairman of Osun Ajo Se Foundation, Mr. Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, who commended Sterling Bank for its contribution to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria, said agriculture still remains a mainstay of the state’s economy, adding that if well developed, will provide the majority of the populace with employment, income and food. He said Osun Ajo Se Foundation is keen to ensure that farmers in Osun State are empowered.
Over 2, 000 farmers have registered with AGPAPFN.
Osun Ajo Se Foundation is a non-political organisation established by some indigenes of Osun State for the unity and economic development of Osun indigenes worldwide.
Olugboyega Alabi, Chairman of Osun Ajo Se Foundation is an indigene of Ikire in Osun State. He was the Group President and Chief Executive Officer of Eliezer Group, the companies he started from nothing to be leader in facility management industry in Africa before leaving to pursue his interest in agriculture and empowerment of people through Osun Ajo Se Foundation