SOME women farmers in Nasarawa State have called on the Federal and State Governments to assist them with interest-free loans to boost agricultural production.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi on Tuesday.

The women also appealed to the government, at all levels, to increase budgetary allocations to agriculture to boost the nation’s food production.

They also called for the provision of free health facilities in rural areas in order to reduce mother-child mortality rate.

Mrs Lami Joseph, a resident of Keffi remarked that rural women depend on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods.

“More than half of Nigeria’s population are living in the rural areas,’’ Joseph said.

According to her, provision of soft loans to finance agricultural activities would help in reducing poverty and unemployment in the country.

“There is the need for the government, at all levels, to provide farmers with an interest-free loan in order to boost food production in the country.

“There is also the need for the government to provide free health facilities in rural areas so as to reduce mother-child mortality rate.’’

Another woman, Mrs Talatu Nafa, also appealed to the government to provide agricultural inputs to farmers at subsidised rates.

Nafa said adequate attention should be given to the provision of standard health facilities and water supply, to make life easier for the rural dwellers.

Provision of a zero-interest loan, she said would boost agricultural production and help to also boost employment and the nation’s socio-economic developments.

“Water in the most rural community is stinking and smelling with fallen leaves, causing sickness and diseases.

“Most women, especially during the dry season, usually travel a long distance in the morning in search of drinking water,’’ she said.

Mrs Zainab Audu, another woman farmer corroborated the earlier respondents by appealing to the government at all levels to address the challenge of poor social amenities in rural communities.

“This will help to improve the standard of living of the rural dwellers,’’ Audu said.

She stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace peace and shun violence, which she said, would only bring a set back to the nation. (NAN)

– Mar. 27, 2018 @ 17:25 GMT |