The Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), in collaboration with All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and financial institutions, sensitized women farmers and agricultural processors on available financial facilities to improve their agribusiness. AFAN mobilized over 120 women farmers and processors to participate in the session which was held at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano. The sensitization, which was aimed at improving service delivery in Agriculture, focused on improving awareness for women on procedures for accessing loan facilities and support from financial Institutions to boost agricultural activities.

In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ministry of Planning and Budget, Kano State House of Assembly, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, SERVICOM Directorate, etc. Financial institutions, such as the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Bank of Industry (BoI), Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), LAPO Microfinance Bank and Green House Agricultural Empowerment & Food Security Initiative (GHAEFI Global Concept), were present to enlighten participants on the different loan facilities and their procedures. 

The discussions at the event were focused on:

• Agric Credit Guarantee Scheme – CBN
• Access to Microcredit – BoA
• Access to Finance for Agribusiness to Smallholder Processors – BoI
• E-Anchor Borrower Programme – NIRSAL
• Understanding the Concept of Backyard Farming – GHAEFI Global Concept
• LAPO MFB Agricultural Product – LAPO Microfinance Bank

During the session, the women shared the challenges they have experienced in attempts to secure loan facilities in the past. Participants also shared ideas, motivation and lessons at the session.