Mr Kayode Towoju, the Kwara Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, on Wednesday said the disbursement of N215 million as loans to farmers would commence by March 10.

Towoju who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin said 172 farmers from the 16 local government areas of the state would benefit from the loan scheme.

''The state government initiated the loan scheme as a step towards transforming farmers in the state from subsistence to commercial farmers.

''Agriculture is a big business which can earn foreign exchange for the country," he said.

Towoju said the state government would put in place the enabling environment to ensure that agriculture would be full time business for people to earn large income.

He said his ministry would soon establish a mall in the state to make it easier for farmers to purchase agriculture inputs.

The commissioner urged beneficiaries to use the loans well, warning that government would sanction anyone found diverting the money for other purposes.(NAN)