By Muhammad Nasir Bello/Hauwa Mohd Gold
Sokoto – The Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Umaru Nagwari, on Thursday said the state executive council had approved N3.4 billion loan for the state government to buy fertiliser.
Nagwari made this known in Sokoto, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting.
The commissioner said that the money would enable the state government to purchase 50,000 tonnes of fertiliser for the dry season farmers in the state.
He said, “In order to meet the demands of our farmers in Sokoto, the executive council had deliberated a lot on agricultural production.
“As such, it approved the sourcing of a loan facility to purchase fertiliser for the dry season farmers to meet their required needs,” Nagwari, said.
The commissioner said that the farmers would buy the fertiliser at a subsidised rate as part of its support to boost food production.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Sa’idu Umar, said that the council also approved the payment of over N 1.3 billion, being 30 per cent risk guaranty cover.
He said that this would enable farmers in the state to actively participate in the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Jabbi Kilgori, also said that the council had approved N184.9 million for the rehabilitation and extension of Army Day Secondary School, Sokoto.