The Chairman, Oyo State Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State, Sheik Taofik Akeugbagold, has stated the criteria being used to disburse the N1 billion loan to farmers to ensure geographical spread.
He stated this during a sensitisation tour to the seven geopolitical zones in the State, which ended on Tuesday.
The muslim cleric also said to access the N1 billion single digit interest loan under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery sub-committee, an applicant must be a duly recognised farmer.
Speaking further on the criteria for the disbursement at Oke Ogun Zone 1, Iseyin area, Sheik Akeugbagold revealed that the reason for the tour was to interact and identify genuine farmers in the state.
He hinted that the corporation will guard against giving loans to “farmers on paper”, saying this would ensure that the targeted farmers benefit from the gesture.
The Chairman explained that after the sensitisation exercise, application forms could be obtained at each Local Government Council at the office of the Director of Agriculture.
He added that the ACCOS Field Officers and identified banks in each domain will be involved in the process.
Speaking on the conditions for qualification, the Chairman said the forms can only be collected individually free of charge.
He stressed that the social media or internet is not a sales point, adding that no official of the Board or the Ministry of Agriculture will liaise with residents from the internet.
Akeugbagold said an applicant will need a Civil Servant, from Grade level 07 and above, as guarantor, depending on the amount of loan requested.
According to him: “We are moving round the seven zones of the state to sensitise farmers on the need and where to access the N1 billion loan under the SAfER sub-committee of food security.
“The forms would be out after the sensitisation tour and they will be available for collection free of charge through the Directors of Agric in their various councils, the banks and ACCOS.
“The form is not online.
“However, please note that group lending would not be entertained.”
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In his remarks, the General Manager of the Board, Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran, revealed that farmers owing the Board, the State Government or any of the participating financial institutions would not have access, except if they are cleared by the Board or the participating institutions.
Ogundiran hinted that the exercise would not be politicised in any form, saying that the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has equally trained farmers on climate resilience.
He added that the government has put plans in place to enhance peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers through continuous meetings with the affected parties.
In his address at Ibarapa Zone, the Commissioner 3, Civil Service Commission, Chief O. Ogunjinmi, commended Governor Seyin Makinde for being a visionary leader whose efforts in the agricultural sector would forever be appreciated, urging the farmers to make judicious use of the loan when granted.
