The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has disclosed it had guaranteed a total of N259.823million to 1,447 benefiting farmers in Plateau State between 2015 and 2017 and urged farmers who are yet to key into the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund, ACGSF to do so and improve their input in the agricultural sub-sector.

The CBN, Jos Branch Controller, Satu Jatau gave the disclosure while giving a keynote address at the 6th, 7th and 8th combined Annual General Meeting, AGM of the First Lowland Microfinance Bank, Mabudi, Langtang South local government area of the State.

Mr. Jatau also urged the farmers to take advantage of the ongoing Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the CBN as well as the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme to which are aimed at creating links between small holder farmers with processors and develop agricultural clusters. He explained, “The Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund, ACGSF is a risk sharing scheme with banks whereby the CBN guarantees to banks that lend to the agricultural sector of the economy. “In Plateau State, total loans amounting to N98.925 million for 487 beneficiaries, N124.276 million for 646 beneficiaries and N36.622 million for 314 beneficiaries were guaranteed in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.” The Branch Controller however commended the First Lowland Microfinance Bank, FLMFB for holding the AGMs saying, “Out of the 15 MFBs on the Plateau, FLMFB is one of the few that have been holding AGMS, it is a testimony of financial transparency and accountability.” Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance Bank, Mr. Amos Balami who explained the AGM is for 2014, 2015 and 2016; stated that the essence of the First Lowland Micro Finance Bank was established to empower the low income households and boost food production, a goal the Micro-Finance Bank is working towards achieving. Balami further enumerated the major achievements of the Micro Finance Bank saying despite the feats, the Micro Finance Bank also passed through some low moments in the years under review and expressed optimism that the Micro Finance Bank would revert to profitability.

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CBN guarantees N259.8m loans to Plateau farmers