Sunday Williams
8 July 2009
Abuja — Oceanic Bank in partnership with Admiral Environmental Care Limited has launched toll free lines for farmers to enable them make free calls in getting professional advice on how to improve their yields.
Speaking at the launching of the lines in Kaduna at the weekend, Group Managing Director of the bank, Dr. Cecilia Ibru, who was represented by the bank's Executive Director, North, Mr. Charles Mekwunye said the free lines would make it easy for farmers to get professional advice and other relevant information that would enable them enhance their output.
She said: "The farmers' toll free lines are dedicated phone lines on the MTN network that farmers can call to seek counsel on any issue related to their farming activities at no cost to them. The cost-free nature of the project gives farmers across the nation a strategic platform to enhance their yield and competitiveness in global markets. The lines will link farmers up with market demand/supply trends, emerging techniques in modern farming, and eradicate the 'middle-man' syndrome, among others.
"The launch of the farmers' toll free lines today is a mechanism that will boost the development of Farming in Nigeria as available statistics indicate that the agriculture sector provides employment to about 70 and 80% of the population, while it contributes about 40% of GDP. The sector equally accounts for close to 30% of export and has huge potentials to contribute immensely to the nation's foreign exchange earning profile." The dedicated lines (08031230201, 08031230202, 08031230203, 08031230204, 08031230188), are open 24 hours daily and the call centre personnel receive calls in Nigerian major languages including Fulfulde, Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba. Other local languages will be added as the clientele base grows.
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