Over K7m Disbursed to SAFF Beneficiaries in Luwingu
(NAIS) Over seven million Kwacha has been disbursed to beneficiaries of the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF) in Luwingu district.
Luwingu Senior Agricultural Officer Aaron Mutale says out of 235 applicants, over 144 received their vouchers, totaling over seven million Kwacha.
Mr. Mutale says the district has received an overwhelming response, with over 300 applicants vying for the SAFF loans under the cropping seasonal inputs financing category.
He, however, says applications for the SAFF loans are still ongoing, and more banks are coming on board in different agricultural categories.
The categories include farm mechanization, financing, and the broiler out-grower scheme, among other products.
One of the SAFF beneficiaries, Edgar Silwamba, a teacher at Kansansa Primary School, says he was able to access ten thousand Kwacha in the 2023-2024 farming season and managed to harvest over 250 bags of maize, each weighing 50kg.
And Shiwang’andu District Commissioner Maureen Bwembya says the Department of Agriculture has received over 145 applications for the SAFF loans, with 25 farmers already accessing their inputs with redeeming codes.
She says the SAFF programme offers loans valued at K10,000 per hectare with an 11.5% interest rate.
Ms. Bwembya notes the initiative is poised to enhance food production, create employment, and reduce poverty in the district.
Meanwhile, some beneficiaries have praised the government for introducing the SAFF programme.
