The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) recently launched Anchor Borrower Programme aimed at driving the nation’s agricultural sector.
The National President of RIFAN, Aminu Goronyo, explained that the initiative is apt and coming at a time when the country is seeking alternative means to diversify the economy.
The Anchor Borrowers Programme is designed to assist small scale farmers to increase the production and supply of feedstock to agro-processors.
Goronyo during the launch of the scheme launched by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari in Birnin Kebbi, said the programme is aimed at creating an ecosystem to link out-growers (small holder farmers) to local processors, increase banks’ financing of the agricultural sector, enhance capacity utilisation of agricultural firms involved in the production of identified commodities as well as the productivity and incomes of farmers.
“Firstly, as a farmer, this is a special day for me, a day when a government that symbolises positive change commences the transformation of my sector, which is agriculture.
Once again I wish to seize this opportunity to extend our hearty congratulation to Mr. President for the successful assumption of office, nomination and appointment of the ministers. We remain fervently prayerful for God’s Guidance and wisdom as you pilot the affairs of our dear country Nigeria,” he said.
“We are in close collaboration as partners with the following critical stake holders in the agricultural development in the country these are:- National Head quarters of CBN in the design and implementation of the CBN’s new Anchor Borrower Programme, which is being launched today. Our collaboration with the media is in the areas of information, education, sensitisation, mobilisation and campaigns to Nigerians to go back to farm and also venture into commercial agriculture especially our elites,” he said.
He added that the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambual, is already fully engaged in totally revamping agriculture in the state, pointing out that his pursuit of an agricultural transformation agenda indicate the positive direction of affairs in the state.
” The language he speaks is that of farmers on the farm,” he said.
In his words, In Sokoto, all public servants, from governor to directors shall farm. We are proud to be farmers, farming is no longer a business for the less privileged. It is a modern, sustainable business for noble people. We will be with you, shoulder-to-shoulder, right there on your farms. These words make famers happy and encouraged the Elites in the state to venture in to commercial agricultural production.”
He said RIFAN is in total solidarity and partnership with the present administration’s agenda to feed the country with the locally produced rice and also assured that in the next 24 months from today, Nigeria will be able to produce more than enough rice to eat.
“We must not forget the tremendous efforts of Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) towards the revitalisation of agricultural value chain across the country. Today’s event is just one of its several efforts. Despite his position as Governor of the biggest Central Bank in Africa, he often picks his phone and calls us in our villages just to ask about how we can, together, achieve President Buhari’s Rice Agenda,” he added.
Source: THISDAY
