The Federal Government has launched a new collateral-free loan scheme aimed at supporting smallholder farmers and boosting agricultural production across Nigeria.
The initiative, known as the FarmerMonie Dry and Wet Season Programme, is being implemented under the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (RH-GEEP 3.0) through the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA).
According to government officials, the scheme will provide interest-free loans of up to ₦300,000 to eligible smallholder farmers to enable them purchase farm inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and equipment needed for both dry and wet season farming.
In the first phase of the programme, about 22,000 farmers across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria are expected to benefit from the intervention.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, said the programme was designed to improve food security, reduce poverty, and strengthen the livelihoods of rural farmers.
He noted that empowering farmers with affordable credit would help increase agricultural productivity and make farming a more sustainable source of income.
“By empowering farmers with resources across both planting cycles, we are boosting food security and ensuring agriculture remains a sustainable source of livelihood,” the minister said
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Officials also disclosed that the loan facility will come with a three-month moratorium before repayment begins, allowing farmers time to cultivate and harvest their produce.
To qualify, applicants must be Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above who are already engaged in farming activities, with requirements including a bank account, National Identification Number (NIN), and membership of a recognised farmers’ cooperative or association.
The government said the registration portal has been opened for interested farmers nationwide, adding that digital identity verification will be used to ensure transparency and prevent diversion of funds.
The initiative forms part of the federal government’s broader social investment strategy aimed at strengthening agriculture, promoting financial inclusion, and addressing rising food costs by supporting grassroots farmers.
