The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Rice Farmers Association of
Nigeria (RIFAN) has distributed farm inputs to farmers under the Anchor
Borrowers Programme (ABP) to boost rice production in the state.
Mrs Helen Temtsen, the Head, Development Finance, CBN office in Jos,
while launching the pilot scheme of the distribution on Friday, said the
gesture was aimed at boosting food production.
According to her, it is also aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency in the agriculture sector.
Our Correspondent recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had in Nov. 2015, officially launched the programme in Kebbi State.
Temtsen explained that the apex bank noticed serious depletion in the
nation’s external reserve owing to importation of food items that could
ordinarily be produced in the country.
This she said necessitated the need to support farmers with loans to go into high production.
“Between 2014 and 2015, more than N1 billion was spent on importation of rice, wheat, fish and other food items in this country.
“These are items we can produce in this country to consume and even
export, but we keep depleting our external reserves because of so much
importation.
“To address the anomaly, CBN came up with the Anchor Borrowers
initiative which RIFAN keyed into, so as to provide farmers with loans
to encourage them to go into production of huge and quality rice for the
populace,’’ she said.
According to her, the loans will be given to farmers in form of
inputs without any collateral as RIFAN will stand as guarantor for the
beneficiaries.
She said the beneficiaries would bear the cost of production and
collection of items would not be done by proxy, to ensure transparency
and accountability in the process
Temtsen explained that for the 2018 dry season farming, 724 hectres
of land would be used for the production of rice, adding that 666
farmers would benefit from the gesture in the state.
She called on the beneficiaries to put into good use the inputs given
to them in order not to deviate from the purpose of the programme,
which was aimed at addressing food scarcity in the state and country at
large.
She further warned beneficiaries not to default, as anyone involved
would be decisively dealt with and be made to face the full wrath of the
law.
Temtsen called on other commodity associations to emulate RIFAN in
partnering with the apex bank to make Nigeria a food sufficient nation.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Joshua Bitrus, the RIFAN chairman in
Plateau, said the gesture was a right step in the right direction.
According to him, diversification remains cardinal in taking Nigeria to the path of economic growth.
“Today, the long awaited anchor borrower’s programme is taking off in our dear state.
“Farmers will today be given modern farm inputs that will enable them
go into best global agricultural practice that will lead to greater
rice production in the state.
“While we continually pray for the success of this programme in our
dear state, it will be pertinent to draw the attention of all
stakeholders in rice farming to partner with us in all aspects to make
the state hub of rice production in the country,” he said.
Bitrus commended CBN for the initiative and the confidence reposed in
RIFAN and assured that it would do all within its powers to sustain and
cement the relationship for the greater good of the state.
Our Correspondent reports that items distributed to farmers include
water pumps, sprayers, fertilizer, herbicides, and improvised rice
seeds, among others.
Credit – Golok Nanmwa, Jos