Dry season farmers in Sokoto state are to get various loans totaling N1 billion to boost food production, Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Arzika Tureta has said.

Disclosing this during the 2nd Meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, SRRBDA in Sokoto on Tuesday, he said that the money would be sourced from the account of Federal Government Agricultural Credit Scheme.

According to Tureta, "The disbursement of the low interest credit facilities, which were guaranteed by the State Government will soon commence."

In order for farmers in the state to engage in modern agricultural practices, which would enable them produce more food for local consumption and export, he announced the State Government's plans to recruit additional agricultural extension workers that would be equipped and trained.

Tureta further stressed the need to impound water in order to combat and mitigate the climate change phenomena on the socioeconomic development in the areas of SRRBDA, which cover Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states.

"We must re-emphasize the need to impound water to arrest flood and release it for irrigation and other socioeconomic purposes," he emphasised adding, "I therefore call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps in investing more in hydrological and flood control issues as well as put in place regulatory and legal framework for robust private sector participation in all aspects of the water sector," Tureta emphasised.

Speaking, Managing Director of SRBDA, Alhaji Yusuf Khalid said that the meeting was aimed at developing an inclusive water resources development and management in the country.