RUVUMA: In a strategic move to revitalize the coffee industry in Mbinga District, the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) has launched a groundbreaking “Shinda Mechi Zako Kinamna Yako na NBC Shambani” campaign.
The initiative aims to provide tailored financial services and support to the district’s coffee farmers, driving increased productivity and prosperity.
Introduced for the first time in the Southern Highland region, the campaign goes hand in hand with training on various services offered by the bank, including crop insurance and health insurance, agency services, digital services, agricultural equipment and input loans.
Other services include the construction of warehouses and assistance to farmers in various activities related to agricultural season preparation and marketing of their crops.
The launch event held in Mbinga hosted by the District Commissioner, Mr. Kisare Makori, and senior leaders from the area as well as key stakeholders in the coffee industry, such as cooperative leaders and farmers, was another forum for the farmers to meet and share ideas with the bank on financial matters.
Equally, the Head of Strategy at NBC, Mr. Msafiri Shayo, represented the bank’s MD, Theobald Sabi, at the event.
Speaking on the bank’s initiative, Mr. Makori, said the campaign’s arrival in his district is an important liberation for coffee farmers, who require special financial services, adding that the government is determined to ensure the bank’s intentions are successful.
He further said: “Furthermore, I am delighted to hear that through this campaign, farmers can access loans for essential tools such as tractors and other modern agricultural equipment, agricultural inputs, and pre-payment loans for farmers.”
“The health and agricultural insurance services promoted by NBC through this campaign are also very important for farmers, especially in dealing with their personal health challenges and protecting themselves against losses resulting from natural disasters that affect their crops.”
The DC also expressed interest in the presence of prizes worth over 30 million that will be awarded to farmers who win various draws after opening an NBC Shambani account and depositing their coffee sales proceeds.
On his part, Mr. Msafiri said the campaign is part of NBC’s response to the government’s call to contribute to the achievement of the 10/30 agenda, which aims to increase agricultural production from 5 per cent to 10 per cent by 2030.
“Alongside the launch of this campaign for coffee farmers in Mbinga district, we also offer various services for farmers, including the opening of farmers’ accounts, which have no monthly charges, issuing individual farmer loans for agricultural tools such as tractors, and loans for cooperative societies (AMCOS/Union) for inputs and pre-payment through the warehouse receipt system,” he pointed out.
Through the campaign, NBC offers health insurance and agricultural insurance services to farmers, providing them with the opportunity to be compensated in the event of their crops being affected by various disasters, including natural ones.
Further explaining the campaign, Mr. Raymond Urassa, NBC Bank’s Head of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) said that it targets all farmers, including cooperative societies and individuals who will process their sales proceeds into their NBC Shambani accounts.
“Through this campaign, farmers will have the chance to win various tools such as spray pumps and motorcycles. AMCOS and UNION will have the opportunity to win laptops and motorcycles.” He informed the eager audience.
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Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Ms. Loveness Kapinga, the Secretary of the Nahongo AMCOS based in the district, while commending the bank for this important campaign, expressed her fascination with the health insurance and crop insurance services due to the great need the farmers have for access to good healthcare services.
Furthermore, Ms. Kapinga mentioned crop insurance as the right solution against the effects of various disasters that affect their crops.