[Nigeria] Dangote, BOA, Farmers Sign MOU on Tomato Production
Memorandum of Understanding was yesterday signed in Kano between Dangote farms, Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and Kano State Water Users Association on tomato production for the consumption of Dansa Tomato Company, a subsidiary of Dangote farms. While elaborating the content of the MoU, acting zonal director of BOA.
Salma Isa stated that, the sum of N55.8 million has been approved by the bank for the take-off of the pilot project which comprises 100 registered farmers as beneficiaries on 100 hectares. She added that, each registered farmer will get a loan of N558, 000 which will be disbursed partly in cash and partly in supply of improved seeds variety, fertilizers and other farming requirements. "This is a pilot program and we wish to extend it to 20,000 farmers in respect to the outcome of the pilot. Each farmer is expected to produce 40 tons of tomato on a hectare which for the uptake of the company," she stated. Similarly, speaking to newsmen after the signing of the MoU, Director Dansa Tomato farm Kadawa, Alhaji Abdulkareem Kaita stated that, the company has been meeting with the farmers on issues bordering measures that would improve their tomato productivity. According to him, the agreement signed entails that the farmers will be given improved variety seeds, cash and other utensils, adding that the agreement also requires that they sell directly to the company while the company will then pay directly into their separate accounts with the BOA. Kaita also reaffirmed the company's commitment to honour the terms and references of the MoU.
