By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Chairman, Oyo State Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State, (ACCOS), Sheik Taofik Akeugbagold on Tuesday, spelt out for the disbursement of the N1 billion loan to farmers to ensure geographical spread.
Speaking during a sensitization tour to the seven geopolitical zones in the state, Alhaji Akeugbagold said to access the N1 billion single digit interest loan under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) sub-committee, an applicant must be a duly recognised farmer.
He stressed that tour for the disbursement at Oke Ogun Zone 1, Iseyin area was to interact and identify genuine farmers in the state, adding that the corporation will guard against giving loans to ‘farmers on paper’ and would ensure that the targeted farmers benefit from the gesture.
The Chairman stressed that after the sensitization exercise, Application forms could be gotten at each Local Government Council at the office of the Director of Agriculture and that the ACCOS Field Officers and the identified Banks in each domain will be involved in the process.
On the conditions for qualification, Alhaji Akeugbagold said the form can only be collected individually free of charge, adding that the social media or internet is not a sales point, as no official of the Board or the Ministry of Agriculture will liaise with residents from the internet.
” We are moving round the 7 zones of the State to sensitize farmers on the need and where to access the #1b loan under the SAfER Sub-committee of food security”, he said.
Alhaji Akeigbagold added, ” The Forms would be out after the sensitization tour and they will be available for collection free of charge through the Directors of agric in their various councils, the severed banks and ACCOS”.
Emphasizing that the form is not online, he said , “However, please note that group lending would not be entertained” and that an applicant will need a Civil Servant, from Grade level 07 and above as guarantor, depending on the amount of loan requested.
The General Manager of the Board, Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran while speaking said farmers owing the Board, the State Government or any of the participating financial institutions would not have access, except they are cleared by the Board or the participating institutions.
Comrade Ogundiran said the exercise would not be politicized in any form and that the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has equally trained farmers on climate resilience.
He stressed that the government has put plans in place to enhance peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, through continuous meetings with the affected parties.
Speaking at Ibarapa Zone, the Commissioner 3, Civil Service Commission, Chief Ogunjinmi commended Governor Makinde for being a visionary leader whose efforts in the agricultural sector would forever be appreciated, urging the farmers to make judicious use of the loan when granted.
