Heifer launches finance leasing scheme to support Nigerian farmers

By Abubakar Yunusa

Heifer Nigeria has introduced a finance leasing guarantee scheme to help farmers access innovative solar-powered irrigation pumps (SPIPs).

Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with over 39 million people worldwide to end hunger and poverty sustainably.

With a 47-year presence in Africa, the organisation has continued supporting farmers to strengthen local economies and improve food security.

At the launch of the SPIPs finance leasing project in Abeokuta, Lekan Tobe, country director of Heifer Nigeria, explained that the irrigation technology utilises solar energy to power the pumps, enabling year-round farming and boosting productivity.

The organisation said Heifer’s SPIPs finance leasing project would enhance farmers’ capacity to increase their productivity, generate higher income, and improve their livelihoods.

Furthermore, Heifer said the initiative would promote self-reliance among farmers and encourage them to contribute more effectively to national development.

“Farmers can easily access the SPIPs through a lease-to-own model operated by a private vendor facilitated by Heifer Nigeria,” the firm said.

“They can make a small down payment and spread the balance in instalments over two years, after which they own the SPIP outright.

“With SPIPs Finance Leasing Project, farmers in Ogun state would be able to overcome climate change, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which are increasingly impacting crop yields and food security and posing a significant threat to agriculture in Nigeria.

“Dr. Tobe described the project as an innovative and ‘promising sustainable alternative to conventional electricity and diesel-based pumping systems.

“It offers the advantages of efficiency, convenience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness and can transform agriculture in Nigeria.

“According to him, Heifer’s focus encompasses farmer’s access to the market, innovation, new technology, and leveraging partnerships to scale up which leads to higher productivity and enables farmers to earn decent livelihoods while caring for the earth.”

According to the statement, the Ogun has launched an initiative to revive large farm settlements across the state while providing fertilisers and a standby fund to support farmers and other groups.

“The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, commended Heifer’s support for farmers, which she said would lead to food self-sufficiency in Nigeria,” the statement reads.