The Federal Government has  earmarked N200 billion for  the  36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)  under the Commercial Agricultural Farmers scheme.

Jigawa State  commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Alhaji Nasidi Ali, said the gesture was to underscore the commitment of the Federal Government to enhancing  agriculture as one of the major ways to tackle poverty in the nation. According to him, out of the amount, 40% will be distributed to the state  governments,  while  60% will be shared at the federal level.

He stated that the share of the state, which is N1bn, if released, would be distributed to the 25 members of each of the farmers  associations in the three senatorial districts of Jigawa and re-payable in seven years at  9% interest negotiable between the farmers associations and the banks.

Ali explained  that about 300 associations of sesame farmers, 200 dairy farmers association among others were screened and approved to benefit from the loan.