The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), says it disbursed the sum of N70 billion loans to support farmers and rural dwellers between 2007 to 2022.
Dr Honestus Obadiora, Executive Director, LAPO Non Governmental Organisation, said the loans were disbursed to 262,977 clients under the LAPO Agricultural and Rural Development Initiative (LARDI).
Obadiora said this at an Annual Media Forum on Monday ion Benin that the loans were disbursed to clients in 303 branches across 22 states of the federation.
He said that under LARDI programme, the sum of N23.5 billion was disbursed to improve the livelihood of rural farmers as well as support micro businesses between January and December 2022.
He expressed delight that the loans had improved the productivity, income and standard of living of the beneficiaries and contributed to rural agricultural development.
Obadiora said that LARDI had also helped in improving availability of inputs for improved farm yield, building the capacity of rural farmers and business owners through on farm demonstration, workshop and training programmes
“The mandate of LARDI is to improve income, food security and general living conditions of rural households, particularly women-headed households and youths”.
