The Federal Government has unveiled plans to empower smallholder farmers in Akwa Ibom State through the Renewed Hope GEEP 3.0 Dry and Wet Season FarmerMoni initiative, as part of efforts to boost food security and agro-industrial growth in the South-South region.
The initiative which was unveiled during a media and sensitization programme in Uyo, targets verified farmers engaged in oil palm, cassava, rice, fisheries, poultry, and coconut value chains.
Speaking, the National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, GEEP, Mr Hamza Baba said the initiative remains a “cornerstone intervention” for financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods at the grassroots.
“FarmerMoni specifically targets smallholder farmers, enabling them to expand production, improve productivity, and ultimately enhance food security across the South-South and the nation at large,” he said.
The programme manager said the initiative offers recoverable loans, not grants, with a moratorium of 6 to 9 months to allow beneficiaries to invest, cultivate, and harvest before repayment begins, adding that repayment is structured over 3 months for short-cycle commodities and 6 months for longer-cycle crops.
“Beneficiaries are expected to channel funds into inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, feed, fingerlings, seedlings, and basic farm infrastructure.”
Baba said the scheme will leverage Akwa Ibom’s existing agro-industrial base under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, including the 11,000-hectare coconut plantation, St. Gabriel Coconut Oil Refinery, Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited, and the recently commissioned Ibom Equipment Leasing Facility.
“Akwa Ibom offers a unique advantage. With processing facilities, equipment hubs, trained youth cohorts, and organized farmer clusters, you are well-positioned to maximize the benefits of FarmerMoni,” he noted.
He stressed that all beneficiaries will be tracked through the GEEP Dashboard to ensure transparency, proper fund utilization, and accountability.
Baba urged farmers to invest wisely and honour repayment obligations, noting that repayment ensures sustainability and allows other Nigerians to benefit.
He assured that payment will commence within 52 days after the revalidation and re-registeration must have been concluded.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Umo Eno commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in revolutionizing the agricultural sector, adding that the efforts were yielding results across the country.
Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, said the state is complementing the federal government’s efforts through the provision of farm inputs, including machinery for farmers.
