The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has stressed the need for the Nigerian government to improve on the counterpart funding for the Rural Financial Institution Building Programme (RUFIN).
The portfolio adviser for Central and Western African Division Programme Management Department of the UN agency, Ms Sylvie Marzin, said this in an interview with journalists in Abuja recently.
Marzin said her observation stemmed from the assessment of the complementation of the programme.
She described RUFIN as a rare important programme for the country as its objective was to facilitate access to capital for women and youths in rural areas for income generating activities
She underscored the need to strengthen some linkages between the federal and state governments so funds could be effectively mobilised at all levels.
It is being implemented over a seven-year period in 12 states across the six geopolitical zones, with two from each zone. The programme specifically targets marginalized groups such as women, young people and those with physical disabilities.
The objective of the programme is to strengthen micro finance institutions and establish linkages between them and formal financial institutions.
It also lays the foundation for the long-term development of a sustainable rural financial system that would eventually operate throughout the country.
The programme seeks to ensure that poor rural people gain access to financial services and can invest in improving productivity in agriculture and small businesses.
