TODAY February 5, 2021 The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), says it disbursed N12.2 billion as loans to 152,446 rural farmers and owners of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in 2020. Honestus Obadiora, the Acting Executive Director of the organisation said this while reviewing the 2020 performance report of LAPO Rural Development Initiative (LARDI) in Benin on Friday. Mr. Obadiora said the financial support was to improve the rural economy and food security in the country. He said the loans were disbursed in 253 LARDI branches across 21 states during the period under review. “We were able to achieve this in spite of the pandemic, we are committed to sustaining this financial support through our development plan to open more branches and reach more clients,’’ Mr. Obadiora said.