The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) has disbursed N18.6 billion to 136,902 farmers and agribusinesses in the first quarter of the year, reflecting a 31% increase fromkscb the N12.9 billion released during the same period in 2024.
The disbursement, carried out through the LAPO Agricultural and Rural Development Initiative (LARDI), reached beneficiaries via 341 branches across 22 states.
Victor Noruwa, Executive Director of LAPO’s Microfinance Segment, said the surge in disbursement highlights the organisation’s commitment to enhancing access to affordable credit for farmers and supporting agribusinesses to scale up operations and boost productivity.
He noted that LAPO prioritised women-led households and youth-driven enterprises in line with its mission to reduce poverty, improve rural livelihoods, and enhance food security nationwide.
In a related effort, LAPO also disbursed an additional N1 billion to over 6,000 farmers engaged in poultry, livestock, and fisheries under its LAPO Household Poultry and Livestock Initiative (LAHPLI).
Tessa Anota, Vice President, Livelihood and Social Protection, described the LAHPLI programme as a milestone in LAPO’s agricultural finance interventions. According to her, LAHPLI has been instrumental in empowering smallholder farmers, particularly in rural communities, by enabling them to scale operations, increase food output, and boost household incomes.
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She added that the initiative forms part of LAPO’s broader strategy to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, including low productivity, limited financing options, and inadequate technical capacity.
“The programme delivers not just financing but also access to modern inputs, training, and extension services—paving the way for resilient and sustainable farming systems,” Anota said.
