NO fewer than 25,000 rice farmers in Kano State have received a total of N6 billion loan under the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ programme for this year’s farming season.

Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, the state Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.

Aliyu said that each of the 25,000 farmers received N203, 000 as the total loan package from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in February.

“The loan disbursement was carried out in February which enabled the beneficiaries to plant the crop in good time,” he said.

According to him, each of the registered rice farmers was given fertilisers, seeds and chemicals as well as a certain amount of money to pay for labour.

“I’m happy to tell you that all the beneficiaries have utilised the loan facility and they are now waiting for the harvest period to come,” Aliyu said.

He urged all the beneficiaries to ensure prompt payment of the loan to enable the bank to disburse same to other farmers.

The chairman expressed optimism that with the programme, the country would become self-sufficient in rice production.

Aliyu added that with the federal government’s policy on agriculture, the country would soon commence exportation of rice to the neighbouring countries and beyond.

He noted that the CBN-facilitated programme had boosted rice production in the country and called on farmers to continue to support government to ensure the success of the programme. (NAN)

– Apr. 17, 2018 @ 13:26 GMT

AE