Eighty-seven farmers cooperative groups in Plateau State are
to benefit from various loans from Stanbic IBTC bank via an initiative put
together by the Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC), an official
has announced.

Ms Susan Bentu, the Secretary, ASTC, who made the disclosure
at a parley with farmers in Mangu, said that the loan would increase
productivity and boost the income of peasant farmers.

“The 87 co-operative outfits are those registered with the
ASTC; it is a tripartite agreement between the ASTC, Stanbic IBTC bank and
Grand Cereals and Oil Mills Limited.

“We believe that this deal will make farming more attractive
and raise the level of youths’ participation.”

Bentu explained that under the agreement, ASTC would provide
the farmers with mechanized farming support from cultivation to harvest, while
Stanbic IBTC bank would provide the direct cash loans to the farmers.

She said that Grand Cereals and Oil Mills Limited would
serve as the buyer and marketer of the farmers’ produce.

“All that is required from farmers, who wish to benefit from
this programme, is for them to form co-operatives and register with ASTC,“
Bentu said.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Steven Barko, Plateau State
Com-missioner for Agriculture, reiterated the state government’s commitment
toward a mechanized agriculture to create more job opportunties and maximise
the exploitation of natural resources.

“With this agreement, government is confident of a reliable
and trusted partner in ASTC and we want to challenge farmers to use the
opportunity to expand production towards achieving higher yield,” Barko said.