The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has said that it was conducting an online registration of farmers who would be part of beneficiaries of a N600 billion agricultural financing scheme fund.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, made the disclosure on Monday in Tofai in Gabasawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State. The minister made the announcement while flagging-off a support scheme under the World Bank’s Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS) for rice farmers in Kano.

Nanono said that the interest-free facility was targeted at about 2.4 million farmers to encourage the application of modern technologies in rice and cash crop cultivation. According to him, the initiative will support farmers to achieve improved productivity, enhance self-sufficiency and boost food security in the country.

He said, “We have commenced a farmer registration exercise to capture their information, number of farmlands and locations. “Also, the beneficiaries will be monitored to ensure effective utilisation of the facility, and mobilise participation in subsequent programmes.”

Nanono also noted that the Federal Government through the National Directorate of Employment has concluded plans to employ 1, 000 people per LGA. The minister added that a total of 774,000 persons would be paid N20,000 monthly payment when employed.

“These are part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s road-map to improve the lives and livelihood of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he added. Also speaking during the ceremony, a representative of the NDE, handed over a N10, 000 empowerment package to 200 women in the LGA. The representative described the package as a means of job creation.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA