NRGP EXPRESSED COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT POOR FARMERS

14-11-09 NRGP EXPRESSED COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT POOR FARMERS

In efforts to reducing poverty in the three regions of the North, the Northern Rural Growth Project (NRGP) has, as a matter of urgency, commenced field operations beginning with dry season irrigated agriculture. In this view, the project is supporting the Seed Growers Association to produce seeds of sorghum, soybean and maize, since the availability of seed is critical for expansion in the next cropping season. This was announced by the National Coordinator of NRGP, Roy Ayariga at a consultative forum on the participation of Rural and Community Banks (RCB) at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The forum which was aimed at enhancing the on-going efforts at poverty reduction and socio-economic growth of the Northern Savanna areas brought together, Rural and Community Bank Managers as well as heads of other financial institutions. Mr. Ayariga, who identified land degradation, drought, flooding, lack of investment resource, poor market access among others as some of the challenges facing northern farmers, revealed that, the NRGP is committed to supporting farmers with the necessary tools and farming equipments including fertilizers and foundation seeds adding that farmers would be supplied with water pumps on credit basis to improve their irrigation system which according to him would be channeled through Participating Financial Institutions across the nation. He therefore appealed to farmers, processors and other agro business firms to take the opportunity of seeking loans from banks to increase food production and also help improve food security in the country. Mr. Ayariga, however, urged banks and other financial institutions to grant soft loans to farmers devoid of high interest in order to allay the fear of seeking loans to expanding their farms but rather spend more time in educating farmers before loans are granted. He also appealed to banks to target women for support since they are the poor and vulnerable as far as land acquisition and loans are concerned.

GBC END AA/IA