The ACReSAL Kebbi State Project Management Unit (SPMU) team recently embarked on a crucial mission to engage and educate community and religious leaders across the two watersheds of Birnin Kebbi and Zuru Local Government Areas (LGAs). The sensitization campaign is part of the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) programme that will support community/ farmer groups to undertake climate smart agriculture related activities. The CRF would support “ACRESAL registered” community/farmer groups in approximately 2800 communities in targeted watersheds.
In Malala, the CRF team was welcomed by Alh. Jabbo Hakimin Malala, his council, religious leaders, and community members. The session began with an overview of the ACReSAL project by the Environmental Safeguard Officer, who explained the project’s objectives and the criteria that led to Malala’s inclusion in the CRF program. The Natural Resource Officer and Lead CRF provided further details on the program’s benefits and community participation requirements.
The Agric Officer introduced the concepts of Climate-smart agriculture and emphasized the importance of including women in the program. The Communication Officer, Awwal Hassan Wara then guided a discussion on the responsibilities of Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and the criteria they must meet to access the CRF. The GIS Officer highlighted the role of GIS technology in monitoring program activities to ensure compliance, while the Assistant Accounting Officer stressed the need for diligent accounting practices within the CIGs.
Community members engaged actively, asking about the process of forming CIGs and the nature of the CRF loan. Alh. Jabbo Hakimi expressed his confidence that the CRF program would significantly enhance the community’s livelihoods, drawing on the success of a previous revolving fund that improved healthcare access.
In Makerar Gandu, the team was greeted by an eager group of community leaders and members, led by Alh. Nuhu Usman Bashar. The community leader encouraged full participation to ensure the project’s success.
Presentations covered the CRF’s objectives, the inclusion of women, and the adoption of Climate-smart agricultural practices. The GIS Officer reiterated the importance of monitoring and evaluation, while the Assistant Accounting Officer emphasized accurate record-keeping.
Community feedback was thoughtful, with questions about the formation of new versus existing groups, fund distribution, and strategies to prevent loan defaults. Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Takalafiya, a community member emphasized the importance of selecting credible individuals for CIG participation.
In Rikoto, Marafa Rikoto and his council received the team, reaffirming their commitment to the CRF program’s success. The Environmental Safeguard Officer provided a comprehensive project overview, followed by detailed discussions on the CRF’s objectives and the community’s role.
Discussions were robust, with community leaders asking about project timelines, loan distribution, and the inclusion of all community members. Marafa Rikoto assured the team of the community’s vigilance in monitoring the project to ensure it meets its intended goals.
In Rafin Zuru, the CRF team was welcomed by Uban Kasan Rafin Zuru and his council. The session focused on distinguishing the CRF program from previous initiatives and ensuring effective management to benefit all.
Community leaders were particularly concerned about loan distribution, the inclusion of agricultural processing community members and the selection of trustworthy individuals for the CIGs. They expressed a strong commitment to avoiding any misuse of the programme resources.
Through these sensitization efforts, the ACReSAL team is laying a solid foundation for sustainable development and enhanced resilience across these communities in Kebbi State. The CRF program’s successful implementation promises to bring significant benefits to the local agricultural sector.
