By Editor
An Agricultural Technology Company in Nigeria known as Thrive Agric in collaboration with Crust Micro Finance Bank says, it is targeting to empower 125,000 Youths in Northern Nigeria.
Determined to achieve that, the group has provided farmers access to finances to boost their farming activities and economic status in 8 states of the region.
The small holder farmers were drawn from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
At a Programme to celebrate achievements and showcase Agricultural Youth and Tech AYuTe Projects impacts, held in Zaria Kaduna State, Thrive Agric noted that, it will empower the small holder farmers with financial inclusion services, and creating job opportunities for over 1000 Youths in Northern Nigeria.
According to Head of Strategic Partnership of the Agro Tech Samirah Bello, Thrive Agric is Building the Largest Network of Profitable African Farmers.
She said, Thrive Agric is leveraging on technology to empower smallholder farmers across Africa by linking them to finance, data-driven best practices, and access to local & global markets for their commodities, towards ensuring food security in Nigeria and the African continent.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Crust Micro Finance Bank, microfinance
Mr. Stephen Kanabe said the MFB is partnering Thrive Agric by ensuring financal inclusion of the farmers through robust access to finance.
He emphasized the importance of community and gender inclusion in driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
“We are delighted to support ThriveAgric’s AYuTe Project and contribute financially to these underserved communities.”
Also, the Communications Manager, Heifer International, Mr. Chuba Ezeigwe
Identified Inadequate access to financial as a significant barrier for small holder farmers.
While commending the initiative Ezeigwe believed that, ThriveAgric’s solutions and contribute will contribute significantly in ensuring better support to small holder farmers in Nigeria.
In a remark, the Zonal Manager, Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency, Mallam Nasiru Abdullahi who promised Government support, encouraged the beneficiaries to make best use of opportunities to better their lives.
Thrive Agric and Crust Micro Finance Bank has facilitated the account opening, distribution of debit card and Point of Sale POS Machines to the farmers at the event.
ThriveAgric has over 450 ware houses with over 500,000 small holder farmers in Nigeria,Ghana and Kenya.
A panel also discussed on Integrating Financial inclusion, Agricultural Development and Youth empowerment at the event.