* Programme Manager warns officers against charging applicants for registration or selection
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and training of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) Desk Officers in the state to expand eligible smallholder farmers’ access to financial support and strengthen agricultural productivity.
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A statement signed by Ibrahim kaula Mohammed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor said the exercise, held on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Katsina, is being implemented in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA).
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda highlighted his administration’s investment in agricultural training through Songhai-related agricultural training facilities, where young people acquire practical skills to establish businesses across different areas of agricultural production and agribusiness.
“Our administration is committed to developing agriculture, empowering young people and creating opportunities for them to establish viable businesses in the agricultural sector,” he said.
The Governor noted that his administration had continued to support farmers through the provision of fertilisers, agricultural mechanisation equipment and irrigation facilities to improve productivity and strengthen food security.
Radda commended Hajiya Karima and the state GEEP management team for organising the programme in collaboration with the national office, describing the initiative as an important step towards expanding economic opportunities for farmers and small business owners.
“Today, we are gathered to officially flag off the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and the training of GEEP Desk Officers in Katsina State,” he said.
He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the initiative, as well as the leadership of NSIPA and the national programme managers for their continued collaboration with the state government.
Earlier, the National GEEP Programme Manager, Dr. Hamza Ibrahim Baba, explained that FarmerMoni was the agricultural component of GEEP, designed to provide eligible smallholder farmers with interest-free, collateral-free loans of up to ₦300,000 to support their farming activities.
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“FarmerMoni is a loan, not a grant. A loan that is repaid can be lent again to another farmer. That is how we build an enterprise rather than simply hand out relief,” he explained.
Dr. Baba stated that repayment was expected to commence six to nine months after disbursement, in line with the programme’s guidelines. He added that the enumeration exercise would improve beneficiary data collection, identify eligible farmers and promote transparency in the implementation of the programme across the state.
The National Programme Manager commended the Katsina State Government for its investments in agricultural inputs, mechanisation and irrigation, noting that these interventions would help beneficiaries make productive use of the financial support.
He charged GEEP Desk Officers to register only genuine and eligible farmers, verify their information and ensure accurate data entry.
“Applicants must not be asked to pay money for registration or selection. The programme must be implemented with integrity, accountability and strict adherence to its guidelines,” he stressed.
Dr. Baba further urged beneficiaries to use the loans strictly for agricultural purposes and fulfil their repayment obligations to ensure that other farmers could also benefit from the scheme.
Also speaking, the State GEEP Manager, Hajiya Karima, commended the Katsina State Government and the national programme management for their collaboration in advancing economic empowerment initiatives.
She said the state government’s Building Your Future Agenda reflected its commitment to citizens’ empowerment, entrepreneurship, agricultural development and human capital development
Hajiya Karima urged the newly trained Desk Officers to discharge their responsibilities professionally, provide accurate information to eligible farmers and ensure that the programme reached its intended beneficiaries.
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She also appreciated the Federal Government and the national GEEP management for their continued support and partnership with Katsina State.
Those in attendance included the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abdullahi Garba Faskari; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; the Principal Private Secretary, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; representatives of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency; state government officials; GEEP programme managers and coordinators; agricultural stakeholders; participating Desk Officers; and other top government officials.
