The World Bank has approved the disbursement of N1.55 billion to Bauchi FADAMA III Project for execution of two agriculture programmes during the 2016 cropping season.

Dr Ali Garba, Projects Coordinator, Bauchi State Fadama III Project, disclosed this to newsmen in Bauchi.

Garba explained that N600 million was additional financing to Fadama III projects for the production of rice and sorghum.

He said that 4,000 rice and sorghum farmers across the state would benefit from the project.

Garba said that under the project, farmers would be given fertilizer, chemicals, seeds, sprayers and other inputs to enable them participate in the programme.

He said that the participating farmers were expected to produce 240,000 metric tons of rice and 7,200 metric tons of sorghum.

Garba said that the balance of N950 million was for the “North East Food Security and Livelihood Support Project for IDPs.”

He said that under the project, the IDPs would be given lands by the host communities while Fadama III would provide seeds, fertilizer, chemicals and other inputs to enable them produce assorted foods.

“The state government is expected to pay counterpart fund of N35 million to enable it access the N600 million.

“It is also expected to pay another counterpart fund of N20 million to enable it access the N950 million,” he said.

According to him, Fadama III is expected to run the two projects concurrently adding that Fadama Headquarters, Abuja, has already approved the funding of business plans earlier submitted by the farmers.