Nigeria, Nov. 11 -- The Niger State Government says 600 farmers across the state will receive interest-free loans under the federal government's FarmerMoni scheme.

Bologi Ibrahim, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Bago, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday, adding that the beneficiaries would be selected across the state's 25 local government areas.

The scheme is one of three components of the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 3.0), a federal social intervention initiative designed to provide financial support to smallholder farmers, artisans, market women and petty traders.

According to the statement, the programme is part of the federal government's plan to reach about five million be...