16,000 farmers receive N4bn loan in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government has commenced the disbursement of N4 billion loan to small and medium scale farmers across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The loan facility being distributed to farmers by Zenith bank under the CBN Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme was aimed at boosting rice, wheat, and tomatoes production, thereby fast-tracking the development of agricultural sector, and enhancing food security.

The Sokoto State Commissioner of Agriculture, Prof. Aminu Abubakar Illela, whose ministry is supervising the programme, noted that the disbursement of the N4 billion loan was part of the current administration’s efforts to promote commercial agricultural activities in the state.

Prof. Illela enjoined the beneficiaries to make best use of the loan, saying the mode of the loan repayment is six months.

According to him, report from the financing bank, the Zenith Bank, has confirmed that many farmers have already received the credit alert.

He added that 16,000 farmers from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state would benefit from the credit facility.

He said farmers across the state have already been categorised into three groups which include larger, medium, and small scale for easy disbursement of the loan.

The commissioner further stated that each farmer would be supported with cash, agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, chemicals, and other seeds.

Illela added that some farmers would also be selected to benefit in the full grown value chains farming scheme where they would be provided with rice, and wheat processing machines.

He stated that under the exercise, facilities were available for onward distribution to the beneficiaries to boost their skills in tomatoes, rice, and wheat processing.

The commissioner, however, noted that to ensure prudent and equal participations, three farmers would be selected from each of the 23 LGAs, adding that each local government would be allocated based on its total number of its polluting units considered as economy empowerment unit or group.

Illela stated that the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, initiated the programme aimed at providing an environment to people of the state to engage in farming as business not just for feeding themselves.

Umar Adam

The Star