Jigawa Farmers Get N1.3m Lifeline

The Fadama III Programme on Tuesday, disbursed N13.23 million to 180 farmer associations in Jigawa.

The State Fadama Coordinator, Alhaji Auwalu Shehu, said
at the flag off of the disbursement that 13 rice and oil milling machines were
also provided to the benefiting groups.

Shehu said that the amount was provided to the farmers
to enable them execute infrastructure development projects and procure
agricultural processing equipment.

He said that 180 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) selected
from from the 27 participating local government areas benefited from the
gesture.

“A total of 180 FUGs received a grant of N13.23 million
from the Fadama III programme.

“This is part of continuous disbursement to communities
to finance acquisition of productive assets, input support and procurement of
small scale infrastructure,” Shehu said.

The coordinator added that 100 water pumps, 100
sprayers, 27 rice and pepper milling machines as well as two grain threshers
were also distributed to communities under Fadama II project.

Shehu said the machines were provided to Fadama II
participating communities under its Production and Value Addition support
programme.

He urged the benefiting communities to ensure effective
utilisation of the fund and equipment toward enhancing agricultural activity
and improve their socio-economic wellbeing.

The coordinator also commended the Jigawa Government
over the prompt payment of its counter part funding to the programme.

In a remark, Ibrahim Muhammad, one of the
beneficiaries, commended the gesture, adding that the programme had encouraged
farmers to develop their agricultural enterprising skills.

Muhammad, who was also a member of the Nafara Fadama
Community Association (FCA), said the Fadama III programme had supported
construction of a 300 metre drain and culvert to check flooding in their
community.

“We also get agricultural support which encouraged the
growth of small scale enterprises and enhance wealth creation among rural
dwellers,” he added.