NAN-AE-4
Tools
Daura (Katsina State), Feb. 20, 2017 (NAN) Alhaji Nura Baure, the Chairman, Rice Farmers Association, Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Monday, said more than 350 farmers have so far benefitted from the anchor borrowers agricultural loan scheme in the area.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Daura that the farmers had been provided with herbicides, water pumping machines, seedlings and fertiliser, noting that they were also attached to agric extension officers for guidance.
Baure said that the management of the distributing agent, Zil Merchandise Company, had assured the association that each registered farmer would be supplied with the farming tools.
He added that the association was not biased in the registration of beneficiaries as there was no consideration for political party membership.
The chairman said that the aim of the association was to promote food security and employment generation.
He advised the farmers to use the items diligently, saying that the association would not tolerate diversion or sale of the tools.
He said a pilot mass rice production programme was expected to start in five local government areas of Daura Emirate namely Daura, Sandamu, Mai’adua, Baure and Zango.
Malam Yahaya Isa, a beneficiary of the tools, commended Federal Government for the programme, saying it was an opportunity for them to utilise their vast fadama land.
He advised beneficiaries to make judicious use of the farm implements given them.
The Daura Local Government chapter of the Rice Farmers Association had so far registered 1,166 farmers under the Central Bank of Nigeria anchor borrowers programme for mass rice production. (NAN)
BKD/FLP/HA
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