The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says it disbursed N975 billion to Nigerian wheat farmers to ensure set-reliance to fight food security in the 2021/2022 season.
The governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emiefele, represented by the Jigawa State Branch Controller, Saadatu Inuwa disclosed this at the celebration of ‘Brawn Day’ and inauguration of the 2021/2022 wheat harvesting period, at Gabarin village of Ringim local government the state.
“Since the introduction of the national agricultural policy under the president Muhammad Buhari mantra of ‘We must Produce what we eat and we must eat what we produced’ the CBN has distributed loan amounting to over N975 billion out of which Jigawa farmers accessed over N42 billion.
“Central Bank supported over 150,000 wheat Farmers from fifteen northern states including Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Adamawa, Gombe, Zamfara, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Borno Nasarawa and Yobe states
“To achieve zero percent wheat importation and 100% food security, emphasis must be given to the promotion of access to modern farming techniques, improved seeds and financial services to farmers and agro allied industries,” Emiefele said.
Jigawa state governor, Muhammad Badaru represented by his deputy, Umar Nadi commended the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria, FMAN and CBN for their intervention in agricultural sector for poverty eradication and create wealth.
The governor promised to form the Wheat Production State Governor’s Association in his serious commitment to supplement efforts of CBN and FMAN.
The chairman of FMAN, John Coumantarous said the association, in collaboration with CBN has established 504 research fields in 15 Northern states for testing new wheat varieties and improve agronomic practices in Nigeria.
He assured wheat farmers of getting access to financial support, improved seeds and modern techniques of farming to improve their productivity.
According to Coumantarous, 504 demonstration farms were established across 15 Northern states, while over 250,000 farmers were being trained on modern farming techniques and also supported with other farm implements to enhance their production.
He added that six seeds production companies were engaged on the reserve and production of quality Wheat seed while all necessary arrangement are put in place to buy all the wheat produced by farmers at a competitive and profitable price.
