Kebbi gets N5bn CBN loan to boost rice, wheat production

The Kebbi Government has called on farmers in the state to form cooperative groups so as to benefit from the N5 billion loan secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Gov. Atiku Bagudu made the call on Monday during an interactive session with the members of Rice Farmers Association and community leaders in Birnin Kebbi.

Bagudu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, said that the loan was obtained to boost production of rice and wheat in the state.

He also said that the loan was secured by the state government to support production of one million tons of rice by 2015.

He stated that small and medium scale farmers are expected to produce over 330 tons of the commodities while large scale farmers are expected to produce 60,000 tons.

He said that the loan would also be used to provide seedlings, fertiliser, irrigation machines, herbicides and insecticides to beneficiaries.