The Kwara State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) Project has begun monitoring beneficiaries of its Community Revolving Fund (CRF) across 10 communities in the state, with reports of expanded farms, increased labour demand and improved agricultural activities.

The CRF Desk Officer, Salihu Hussain, said the monitoring exercise was aimed at assessing how beneficiaries had utilised the funds, evaluating the early impact of the intervention on their livelihoods and identifying challenges requiring attention.

Hussain said beneficiaries in Adewole, Warah, Afon, Oke-Ogun, Iponrin, Tsaragi, Shonga, Lafiagi, Lade and Patigi had reported increased farming activities and expansion of their farm spaces.

He said the intervention had enabled beneficiaries to cultivate larger areas during the current farming season while creating opportunities to employ additional labour.

According to him, the fund was introduced to strengthen the economic resilience of vulnerable community members, particularly women, youths, farmers and organised Community Interest Groups (CIGs).

Hussain said the first phase of the intervention targeted 50 CIGs comprising about 1,000 beneficiaries, with plans to accommodate more beneficiaries as the programme progresses.

He explained that the funds were structured as a revolving facility, requiring beneficiaries to repay within an agreed period so that other members of their communities could also benefit.

One of the beneficiaries, Kayode Musa of Agbenise Cooperative Society, Afon, said the support had enabled him to expand his farming operations and venture further into livestock production, including poultry.

Another beneficiary, Isiaka Yakubu of Ounje Lawo Cooperative Farming, Afon, said the expansion had created opportunities to engage more workers on the farms.

Isiaka Sulaiman of Ifesowapo Community, Gbago, said the intervention had encouraged members of the group to work together and plan for the future.

"The intervention has given us hope and encouraged us to work together. We now understand that if we manage the fund properly and repay as required, other people in our community will also have the opportunity to benefit," he said.

A female farmer, Akinsola Princess of Ifesowapo Cooperative Farming, Oke-Ogun, said the support had enabled the cooperative to expand its farmland and engage more labourers.

She expressed optimism about a more productive harvest this farming season and appreciated KWACReSAL for creating opportunities to increase agricultural activities and employment in the community.