Govt Loans for Local Farmers
Kwara
Kwara State Government will give loans to local farmers in Tsaragi/Tsonga District who are interested in commercial agriculture.
The gesture, Governor Bukola Saraki said at Tsonga District, would afford them the opportunities given the 15 pioneer Zimbab-wean farmers coming to engage in commercial agriculture in the state.
Besides, the governor who met with the host communities where the Zimbabweans will farm, said local farmers will also benefit from irrigation and agro-processing facilities.
The sensitization trip took Saraki to Gumbaji, Ogudu and Tsonga in Edu local council, the fertile land close to River Niger and suitable for cultivation of rice, sugar cane and citrus fruits.
Amidst applause and keen expectations from hundreds of men, women and children, Saraki said government will ensure adequate provision of good roads, pipe-borne water, electricity, medical and telephone facilities in the area to improve productivity among the people.
Saraki said goverment was satisfied with the support given by the local populace to the Zimbabwe Initiate and urged them to collaborate with and learn best practices from the white farmers.
He emphasised that he was keen on meeting with the host communities to sensitise the people on the need to embrace the Zimbabwe initiative of the state government and use the opportunity to improve agricultural practices in the state.
He also charged the local farmers to learn fast from the Zimbabwean farmers as soon as they arrive to improve their farm yields, and noted that irrigation facilities would ensure an all-year-round farming in the area.
Etsu Tsonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya praised Dr Saraki for the Zimbabwe initiative and his resolve to sensitive the people on the benefits derivable from the project.
The Tsonga monarch described the scheme as the beginning of revolutionising agriculture in the state and Nigeria and thanked the governor for using his private sector exoerience to uplift the state.
A representative of farmers in Tsonga, Alhaji Mohammed Isa said farming is the main occupation in the area and urged the governor to fulfil all the promises made to the people.
Edu Council Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Dubba asked the state government to give his people modern telecommunication, affordable houses, adequate electricity and potable water in support of the scheme.
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