Kano state government has sealed an agreement with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) for N2 billion counterpart fund to boost the agricultural projects in the state as The Kingdom of the Netherlands also offered to assist Kano state to revamp its agricultural sector, in view of the huge but largely untapped agricultural potentials of the state.

Under the agreement with BOA Kano state government will provide N1billion to access the fund, to help farmers of the state enhance their agricultural productivity.

Speaking shortly after signing the agreement, at the Government House Kano, the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said the loan facility highlighted the seriousness of the state government in transforming the agricultural sector.

He explained that “peasant farmers from across the 44 local government areas of the state will be selected to benefit the loan and it is interest-free. It will go a long way in ensuring that our set goals in the agricultural sector”.

Governor Kwankwaso explained that agriculture is one of the priority sectors receiving serious attention from the state government, highlighting that government is taking proactive measures to exploit the numerous potentials in the sector for food security, job creation and revenue generation.

To improve the irrigation, he disclosed that the government decided to draw a comprehensive blueprint on utilizing the 23 dams in the state, noting that although the administration may not be able to execute the plan in totality, it will serve as a guide for the incoming administration.

The governor also disclosed that the government is now putting into good use the Tiga and Challawa dams by using them to generate power at cost over N14 billion.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Waziri Amadu, said that BOA agreed to give the out the loan considering the seriousness of the state government in agriculture, pointing out that it is a pride for his bank to enter into the agreement.

Alhaji Amadu added that BOA has satisfied with various agricultural policies and programmes of Governor Kwankwaso and assured that BOA is ready to work with the Kano state to actualize its agricultural dreams.

Meanwhile The Kingdom of the Netherlands has offered to assist Kano state to revamp its agricultural sector, in view of the huge but largely untapped agricultural potentials of the state.

The Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom in Nigeria, Mr. Haus de Brabauder, who made this known during a visit to the state governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso in his office in Kano, explained his country has expertise in the agricultural sector that could be extended to Kano for sustainable development.

Netherland’s prevailing natural conditions – a temperate climate with a fair rainfall distribution (total annual average 750 mm/yr), relatively fertile soils in a flat landscape- favour a varied and productive agriculture in the country.

The combination of these two factors, plus a governmental policy that strongly supports a competitive agricultural sector, good entrepreneurial skills, support from a state-of-the-art agricultural research and education system, innovative supply and processing industries among other factors, has resulted in a very viable agricultural sector in the Netherlands.

Ambassador Brabauder therefore assured that his country, which is also the second largest net exporter of farm produce in the world, is willing to share its experience and technology with Kano, which has big agricultural potential, for mutual benefit.

The envoy, who said companies from his country will want to visit the state to discuss areas of mutual cooperation, also disclosed that that the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade is likely to visit Nigeria next year and may include Kano on the itinerary in view of its strategic importance in Nigeria.

Responding, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso stated that Kano state is willing to collaborate with the Netherlands in the area of agriculture in light of the huge benefits that will accrue to the state.

“We have a lot to learn from you in view of your Expertise, infrastructure, and innovative agricultural technology”, said the governor, pointing out that a relationship with the Kingdom of Netherlands will be advantageous to both entities.

“Kano is an agricultural state, which is known for the production of groundnuts, vegetables and animal products. It the most irrigated state in the country with more than 3 million hectares of cultivable land, while about 75 percent of the population are engaged in agriculture”.