A total of K62,409,714.16 has been disbursed to 1,176 farmers in Northern Province under the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), according to the Provincial Administration.
Of the beneficiaries, 822 are male and 354 are female, reflecting growing participation across gender lines in the region’s agricultural development efforts.
Northern Province Administration Principal Public Relations Officer, Sandra Mulenga, said that the SAFF programme is designed to support farmers in acquiring irrigation equipment and investing in tools that enhance crop productivity.
She emphasized the role of the Ministry of Agriculture in verifying applicants to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the facility before their details are forwarded to participating banks.
“SAFF is a market-driven initiative that improves access to affordable financing for small- and medium-scale farmers, many of whom face significant challenges securing capital for agricultural investments,” Ms. Mulenga said in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka.
She further urged farmers to embrace mechanized farming by investing in essential implements to boost production and sustainability in the sector.
By Christabel Kamunu
