The Kano State Government said it had supported rice and wheat farmers with N1.1 billion loan, as part of efforts to boost production of the two commodities in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr Nasiru Gawuna disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.
He said of the total loan package, the state government had approved N1 billion for the rice farmers, while the remaining balance of N100 million was disbursed to wheat farmers.
Gawuna said the loan would enable farmers of the two crops to access quality seeds and other required farm inputs for enhanced productivity.
He said the loan was part of the state government’s effort to support farmers in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to boost their production.
The commissioner said the government would partner with the Nigeria Commodity and Exchange Commission to provide warehouse for the commodities.
Also speaking, the state Chairman of Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), Alhaji Faruk Rabiu, said the association had recently procured wheat cleaning machine.
He said the machine was procured from the N18.2 million loan the association secured from the Union Bank of Nigeria plc.
He said the machine would give farmers the opportunity to bring their wheat after harvest for cleaning, grading and sorting out.