(Ecofin Agency) - The Edo Assembly has approved a N11 billion (about $35 million) loan request by the State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to boost agriculture, create wealth and jobs in the State, Vanguard reports.

From the loans which will be provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria, N6 billion will fall under the anchor borrower’s loan facility while remaining N5 billion will help finance agro projects in the State. In details, the latter will serve to develop 5,000ha of farms and establish five greenhouses for tomatoes and vegetables, as well as 120 fish ponds.

In addition to approving the loans, the assembly also approved the governor’s request to access the Federal Government Special Intervention on Fertilizer programme. This scheme aims to make fertilizer more available to farmers and revive the local fertilizer manufacturing industry in the country.