Kano state government has sealed an agreement with the Bank of Agriculture
(BOA) for N2 billion counterpart fund to boost the agricultural projects in
the state. Under the agreement Kano state government will provide N1billion
to access the fund, to help farmers of the state enhance their agricultural
productivity.
Speaking shortly after signing the agreement, at the Government House Kano,
the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said the loan facility
highlighted the seriousness of the state government in transforming the
agricultural sector. He explained that “peasant farmers from across the 44
local government areas of the state will be selected to benefit the loan
and it is interest-free. It will go a long way in ensuring that our set
goals in the agricultural sector”.
Governor Kwankwaso explained that agriculture is one of the priority
sectors receiving serious attention from the state government, highlighting
that government is taking proactive measures to exploit the numerous
potentials in the sector for food security, job creation and revenue
generation. To improve the irrigation, he disclosed that the government
decided to draw a comprehensive blueprint on utilizing the 23 dams in the
state, noting that although the administration may not be able to execute
the plan in totality, it will serve as a guide for the incoming
administration.
The governor also disclosed that the government is now putting into good
use the Tiga and Challawa dams by using them to generate power at cost over
N14 billion.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji
Waziri Amadu, said that BOA agreed to give the out the loan considering the
seriousness of the state government in agriculture, pointing out that it is
a pride for his bank to enter into the agreement.
Alhaji Amadu added that BOA has satisfied with various agricultural
policies and programmes of Governor Kwankwaso and assured that BOA is ready
to work with the Kano state to actualize its agricultural dreams.