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.

He said 180 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) selected 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.

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. (NAN)