The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Niger State Government, has announced plans to provide N300,000 interest-free loans to 600 small-scale farmers in the state, amounting to N180 million.

The initiative is being implemented through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), to improve agricultural productivity and support smallholder farmers.

The National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Baba, disclosed this on Saturday in Minna during the commencement of the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and training of GEEP desk officers drawn from the state’s 25 local government areas.

Baba explained that the loans would enable farmers to purchase agricultural inputs, expand production and improve their livelihoods.

He said each eligible farmer would receive N300,000, repayable within one year, with repayment expected to begin six months after the commencement of farming activities.

He explained that the intervention would cover farmers involved in crop cultivation, poultry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture.

The programme will also involve the identification, registration and verification of beneficiaries to ensure that the funds reach active farmers.