The branch manager of the Opportunity International Savings and Loans limited in Somanya in the Eastern region, has said that they are ready and willing to transform the future of farmers and their families to whom little attention has been given.
Miss Deborah Amankwa said it is their mission to champion the cause of transforming the venture of farmers in the society. She said most banks are afraid to offer loans to farmers due to their failure or default in paying back. Also, most banks take the climatic factor into consideration due to the risks involved.
She however assured that, Opportunity Bank as their name suggests, involve themselves in the transformation of lives and are thus ready give out loans to farmers who have long been neglected in the society while they also investing in cocoa, rice, livestock, mango, vegetables, poultry farmers among others.
She said the bank engages farmers in Asesieso, Labolabo, Asutsuare, Ayikuma among others, adding that the bank does not take any collateral security but rather looks at the size of the farm. She added that farmers of Farmer based organizations are also advantaged to also access the loans without collateral.
In contribution, Mr. Emmanuel Senuwugbe, the Public Relations Officer for the bank said they were ready to invest into any sector in agriculture except for aqua culture which involves fish farming. He noted that agriculture is the most important aspect of our economy but which sadly continue to be shelved.
Applauding the bank for its kind gesture, the president for the Kwaye farmers association at Asisieso in the eastern region, Mr. Brafo, said that Opportunity bank has indeed come to their aid by giving them loans for the expansion of their various businesses. He said it was difficult for them to access loans from the banks but Opportunity International Savings and Loans has helped them with loans for their various farming activities.
Source: ritefmonline.org
