The Federal Government on Monday said it had launched the FarmerMoni programme in Kano State as part of efforts to eradicate poverty and support vulnerable Nigerians through access to interest-free loans and enterprise support.
The government said the initiative, under its Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 3.0, was designed to assist small-scale farmers, petty traders and other vulnerable groups to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking during the North-West Zonal Renewed Hope GEEP 3.0 FarmerMoni dry and wet season media and sensitisation exercise, the Director-General of the Kano Social Protection Agency, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar Abdullahi, described the programme as “a targeted response to the economic challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly in rural communities.”
She explained that the FarmerMoni scheme provides “interest-free loans, entrepreneurship support and capacity-building opportunities” aimed at enabling beneficiaries to build sustainable sources of income.
Abdullahi added that “the initiative is designed to empower small-scale farmers and petty traders, reduce financial exclusion and ultimately contribute to poverty eradication across the state.”
Also speaking, representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria and the FarmerMoni Technical Working Group stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders.
They said “stronger synergy between government institutions, farmer groups and local communities is critical to ensuring that the programme delivers measurable and lasting impact.”
In his keynote address, the National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Ibrahim Baba, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling poverty and expanding economic opportunities.
He stated, “the FarmerMoni programme aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to promote financial inclusion, create jobs and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty through targeted social investment schemes.”
He added that “the programme will continue to be expanded to reach more beneficiaries, especially in underserved rural communities.”
A presentation at the event highlighted the structure and implementation strategy of the GEEP/FarmerMoni framework, while a technical session demonstrated “practical pathways for income generation,” including small-scale livestock production.
The event also featured goodwill messages, media interaction and closing remarks, with participants expressing optimism that the initiative would “significantly reduce poverty and improve economic resilience among beneficiaries.”
