Smallholder Farmers Empowerment Scheme to Apply

This is a scheme that will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of a broader policy to empower smallholder farmers. This means that you can apply for loans through OGSTEP, which has been designed specifically for smallholder farmers.

OGSTEP Engagement

The Scheme is a certified structured farming scheme, through which the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will provide loans to smallholder farmers on easy terms with no interest rate.

The OGSTEP Engagement is for all Nigerian citizens who are eligible for the loan and can avail of it at no cost.

All Nigerian citizens are eligible for the loan. The loan has no interest rates and it will be administered by an accredited state agency or representatives of smallholders in the state.

The OGSTEP Engagement program aims to improve agriculture productivity among disadvantaged families through improved access to capital, training opportunities on sustainable agricultural practices, and equipment procurement.

The scheme will provide financial assistance under a revolving line of credit facility to smallholder farmers who have not benefited from previous government programs such as Smallholder Support Fund (SSF), Agribank/Agricultural Credit Bank (ABCB), Cooperative Development Fund (CDF), etc., but qualify for credit due to poor credit history or inability to secure bank loans because they live far away from big cities where banks are located

Smallholder Farmers Empowerment Scheme to Apply

The loan would be disbursed directly or indirectly to Smallholder Farmers’ Organizations (SFOs), a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 100 farmers per community with a proven track record and capacity (technical, managerial, financial, etc.) to administer the scheme successfully.

The SFOs should be registered with National Integrated Rural Development Mission (NIRDM), Government of India under the NIRDMA Scheme for providing credit facilities through an eligible NGO/ Bank, which will offer a revolving fund facility of up to Rs 2 lakh per farmer.

When Will The Scheme Be Funded?

The scheme will be funded with Diaspora Remittances as well as matching grants from development partners like — World Bank, Islamic Bank, African Development Bank, etc.

The OGSTEP program is designed to help smallholder farmers in the country by providing them with access to finance and technical know-how. This initiative aims at increasing productivity among smallholder farmers in Nigeria through increased production of high-value crops such as cocoa beans and palm oil products.

SFOs will therefore be expected to shoulder a minimum sum of 50% of fund disbursement and administration costs

The SFOs will therefore be expected to shoulder a minimum sum of 50% of fund disbursement and administration costs.

The scheme is open for applications from smallholder farmers across all states in Nigeria. This means that you will be able to apply for this program if you have a farm or farmland and want to take advantage of it.

Can Smallholder Farmers Apply?

The Smallholder Farmers Empowerment Scheme (OGSTEP) is a loan scheme that aims to empower smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

The OGSTEP program was launched by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2014 and has since been extended to other member states of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS).

The program has been designed to help smallholder farmers improve their lives by providing them with financial assistance for investment in agriculture, livestock breeding, and commercial farming activities.

If you are a smallholder farmer who wants to take your business to the next level and increase your profit margins, then this loan scheme may be for you. Apply now!