The Divisional Head of Agribusiness of FCMB, Kudzai Gumunyu, has said the bank would soon start disbursing loans to entrepreneurs in agribusiness, especially commodities such as cocoa, cashew nut, sesame, ginger, palm oil, grains- maize, sorghum, soya beans, and paddy rice.
He said between N100million and N2 billion would be given out.
Speaking to journalists on this he said
FCMB recognises the gap that exists in agribusiness financing, as well as other
challenges faced by operators, including farmers, in the sector.
“We realise there are millions of agro-traders and processors
across the country that need credit at convenient and affordable rates,
considering the level of attraction the sector has garnered.
“Our decision to introduce a revamped agro-commodity trade
finance facility is part of our intervention in the agribusiness space to
ensure agribusinesses and other stakeholders are empowered with the requisite
funds and enablers to boost production and marketing of agricultural
commodities.
“Commodity producers and traders stand to immensely benefit from
this facility because it is a veritable and convenient opportunity to access
funds that ensure cash flow is available for maximum output. We urge all to
take advantage of this offering,” he said.
He assured that FCMB is focused on being a strategic partner
in the agriculture sector to drive diversification of the Nigerian economy,
food self-sufficiency, employment and export earnings.
Gumunyu said FCMB in 2018, provided lines of credit that
peaked at eight per cent of the bank’s total loan book to the agriculture
sector, with the intention to improve on this milestone.
“For instance, the bank facilitated and guaranteed the
procurement of 50 tractors by the Tractor Owners and Operators Association of
Nigeria (TOOAN) Ventures from the Bank of Industry. The tractors were handed
over to the association recently at Ilero town, Oyo State.
“Recently, the lender signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI).
“The memorandum is aimed at deepening agency banking,
financial inclusion and savings culture in the informal and agribusiness
sectors, starting with five states, namely Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Ogun and
Oyo. The plan is to reach two million farmers nationwide by the year 2023,” he
added.