Illusive Katsina NACRDB’s loan
by Isyaku umar K/Soli
FARMING and agriculture in the Northern part of Nigeria and indeed everywhere has tremendous importance attached to it, more especially in the predominantly farming populace in this part of the country where means of livelihood and other economic activities are all centered around it. As in the case of Katsina state, a matured male and indeed children alike have only two options to choose between either going to school or going to farm. In these communities, farming must be done, and is necessary, with or without the assistance of any private or public outfit.
The announcement made by President Olusegun Obasanjo on the readiness of the federal government to assist farmers with easy loans across the country was received with joy and enthusiasm, especially among the peasant farmers. This group forms the larger part of the people of this country who have previously been neglected as far as public is concerned. So therefore, the news is a sign of relief to many of the rural farming societies. In Katsina state, arrangements were put in place for the farmers to apply for this loan through their respective societies, groups and unions. And moreover, it is during the planting period, as such there was high expectation of a successful farming season.
Forms were collected and filled, accounts opened at NACRDB branches, deposits lodged and promises were given. Some, even went to the extent of applying twice or more depending on membership of various grouping and unions.
Depositing on each a minimum of N5,000 and a maximum of N50,000. Most unfortunately, up till the end of the harvesting season, only a fraction, in fact, less than a quarter of the farmers from the 36 local government areas of the state were given the loan. Dan Musa local government was among the fortunate ones for the simple reason that the chairman of the bank and also the federal agric loan commmitte chairman hails from there.
As for the rest of the farmers, flimsy and unacceptable excuses were given as the reason why they were excluded in the first batch paid sometimes in September, but promised in the second or third but btches which were never forthcoming.
Alhaji Dan Musa and indeed any other person connected in one way or the other to the loans issuing structure owed the farmers from your home state (not your local government) some explanations as to why they can not enjoy this assistance when it matters most. If these loans were given at a wrong timing (pre-raining season), what does one expect from these farmers as to the good utilization of the funds?
Anyway, many of them have started to withdraw their application in which this writer is inclusive. If the loans cannot come at the appropriate timing, why do we need it? After all, we have not been using their loans for all these years.
Since the issues have started portraying some political undertone, we do not need politics to go to farm. We only desire the loans to enhance productivity and therefore develop agriculture. After all, it is just a loan and not a gratification.
Only recently, Alhaji Dan Musa was at the Kano state Government House to inform the state governor that they have given out N1.4 billion as loans to Kano state farmers. Also, that they are in partnership with the state government to achieve the goals of promoting agriculture. Then, does this mean that the atmosphere in Katsina or some part of it was not conducive? Or is it only Dan Musa et-al that has the enabling environment to receive such loans. NACRDB knows fully well how to disburse as well as collect back these funds from the respective farmers because they are in close co-operation and consultations with them right from its establishment.
We need some explanations. If you cannot explain to the poor farmers in the villages whom you assume cannot read or write, then the few of us who went to school and still decide not to seek the white-collar jobs but rather stick to their forefather’s occupation-farming - need better explanations as to why they cannot be further motivated by the government through granting repayable loans on agriculture at the most appropriate timing. Are you people really serious in advancing the programme of the federal government in developing agriculture and improving productivity as well as the reduction of poverty?

Isyaku Umar K/Soli wrote in from Kafin-Soli, Kankia, Katsina state.