The Katsina State Government has commenced the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and training of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) Desk Officers to help eligible smallholder farmers access financial support and improve agricultural productivity.
Follow us on Google News
The exercise was flagged off on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Katsina, in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA).
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda said his administration was investing in agricultural training through Songhai-related facilities, where young people acquire practical skills to establish businesses in farming and agribusiness. He said the state remained committed to developing agriculture, empowering young people and creating viable business opportunities.
Radda added that the government had supported farmers through the provision of fertilisers, agricultural mechanisation equipment and irrigation facilities to raise productivity and strengthen food security. He commended Hajiya Karima and the state GEEP management team for working with the national programme office to expand opportunities for farmers and small business owners.
The governor also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NSIPA leadership and national programme managers for supporting the initiative and collaborating with the state government.
Explaining the programme, National GEEP Programme Manager, Dr Hamza Ibrahim Baba, said FarmerMoni was the agricultural component of GEEP. It is designed to provide eligible smallholder farmers with interest-free, collateral-free loans of up to ₦300,000 to support farming activities.
Baba stressed that FarmerMoni was a loan, not a grant, explaining that repayment allows the funds to be lent to other farmers and helps sustain the programme. Repayment is expected to begin six to nine months after disbursement, in line with programme guidelines.
He said the enumeration exercise would improve beneficiary records, identify eligible farmers and promote transparency in implementation across Katsina State. He also commended the state government’s investments in farm inputs, mechanisation and irrigation, saying such support could help beneficiaries use the loans productively.
Baba directed GEEP Desk Officers to register only genuine, eligible farmers, verify their information and enter accurate data. He warned that no applicant should be asked to pay for registration or selection, and called for integrity, accountability and compliance with programme rules.
He urged beneficiaries to use the loans strictly for agricultural purposes and repay them as required, so other farmers could also benefit.
State GEEP Manager, Hajiya Karima, praised the state government and national programme management for their collaboration. She said the government’s Building Your Future Agenda reflected its commitment to empowerment, entrepreneurship, agricultural development and human capital growth.
Karima urged the newly trained Desk Officers to work professionally, give farmers accurate information and help ensure that the programme reaches its intended beneficiaries. She also acknowledged continued support from the Federal Government and national GEEP management.
The event was attended by Secretary to the State Government, Barr Abdullahi Garba Faskari; Chief of Staff, Hon Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Principal Private Secretary, Hon Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; NSIPA representatives; state officials; GEEP managers and coordinators; agricultural stakeholders; Desk Officers and other government officials.
How to apply
Interested smallholder farmers should contact their local GEEP Desk Officer or relevant state programme office to confirm eligibility, the official enumeration process and any required documents. Registration and selection should be free. Do not pay anyone who promises access to the loan, and use the funds only for farming if selected. Farmers should follow verified instructions and protect personal information during registration.
