Government to Empower 21,000 Smallholder Farmers with GEEP FarmerMoni Loans
In a renewed effort to boost agricultural productivity and empower rural communities, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to support over 21,000 smallholder farmers across the country through the FarmerMoni scheme of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP)
The initiative was disclosed by the Minister of State for Humanitarian affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who highlighted that the scheme is part of the government’s broader agenda to reduce poverty and strengthen food security.
Through this empowerment program, farmers will have access to micro-loans of up to #300,000 under GEEP FarmerMoni, designed to provide capital for expanding their farming activities, purchasing inputs, and improving yields. The Minister also assured that the rollout will be nationwide, with specific eligibility details to be announced soon.
This initiative marks another milestone in the Federal Government’s continuous effort to support grassroots businesses and farmers, enabling them to thrive while contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth
With agriculture playing a vital role in employment and food supply, empowering smallholder farmers is expected to not only improve livelihoods but also strengthen the fight against hunger and poverty across the nation.
Baba assured that the Tinubu administration was committed to expanding the reach of all GEEP schemes, stressing that the pilot farmer intervention would lay the foundation for broader rollout in 2026.
He acknowledged the contributions of previous administrations and Ministers to GEEP’s development since its inception in 2016 and extolled ongoing reforms aimed at improving delivery and accountability.
He said, “GEEP also works in synergy with other NSIP components, including the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, and Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
The co-ordinator said the loans ranged from N5,000 to N100,000, depending on the scheme, and were structured to promote sustainability through monitoring and evaluation.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/fg-to-disburse-interest-free-loans-to-small-businesses-farmers-coordinator/
