The Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has commenced the physical enumeration of beneficiaries under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative in Abia State.
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The exercise, launched in collaboration with the Abia State Government, is expected to cover all 17 local government areas (LGAs) over a 20-day period.
National Coordinator of GEEP, Ibrahim Hamzat Baba, announced the development during an event in Umuahia, where desk officers for the programme were inaugurated and trained.
He explained that FarmerMoni is designed to provide interest-free and collateral-free loans to smallholder farmers who need financial support to expand their agricultural activities.
Eligible beneficiaries can access loans of up to ₦300,000 to purchase seedlings, farming inputs, livestock feed and other essential materials. The programme covers crop cultivation, poultry, livestock production, fisheries and other agricultural activities.
Who can benefit?
FarmerMoni is one of three components of GEEP, alongside TraderMoni and MarketMoni. It specifically targets smallholder farmers, with priority given to women, young people and vulnerable groups.
Baba clarified that the facility is a loan, not a grant. Repayment is expected to begin between six and nine months after disbursement. The revolving arrangement is intended to allow other farmers to benefit as existing beneficiaries repay their loans.
The coordinator also warned programme desk officers against demanding money from applicants, stressing that participation is free. He said only registered farmers whose details have been verified should be included in the enumeration.
Abia State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Blessing Felix, said inadequate access to affordable financing had continued to limit farmers’ ability to expand production.
She disclosed that NSIPA had completed the online revalidation of 1,160 farmers in the state, while the ongoing physical exercise would cover the 17 LGAs.
How to benefit
Farmers should participate in the official enumeration exercise and ensure their registration details are accurate. They can seek information through their local government GEEP desk officers and relevant agricultural stakeholders, including the All Farmers Association of Nigeria and the Agricultural Development Programme.
The exercise is for verification of registered beneficiaries, not confirmation of a fresh public application. No payment is required to participate. Farmers should avoid anyone demanding money in exchange for inclusion or loan approval.
