Central Bank of Nigeria In collaboration with the Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria have unveiled 21 Maize pyramids in Kaduna as part of federal government’s commitment to ensure food sufficiency in the country.
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele stated this at the unveiling of Maize Pyramid held in Kaduna.
Mr Emefiele represented by the Director Development Finance of the Bank’ Mr Yusuf Yila said the nation current maize production had reached 12.2 million metric tones.
Mr Emefiele explained that, the Central Bank of Nigeria was committed to financing over six hundred thousand hectres of maize this year by providing funding through the financial Institution to the various anchors and commodity associations for massive production of maize and other key commodities.
He pointed out that, the overall objective of the Maize revolution was to facilitate food security by increasing local production of maize , safeguarding the activities of small holder farmers and stimulating rapid economy recovery as well as enhancing rural livelihood.
He noted that, in 2021, CBN Launched the first maize pyramid in Katsina with total of over 3000 metric tones of maize displayed in the state, saying that the produce was strategically released to marketers through allocation to various stakeholders.
Mr Emefele thanked president Mohammadu Buhari for his unwavering support to the CBN in its effort to grow what the nation eats.
According to him, President Mohammadu had consistently champion the Anchor Borrower Programme and provided the CBN all the support required to work with all stakeholders in the Agricultural Sector to ensure the nation achieve repaid transformation in the Agricultural value chain.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Abubakar Mohmud represented by the North West Zonal Director of Agriculture Dr Timkat Vontav said the Ministry would continue to support small holder farmers because they are the engine room of the achievement of sufficient food Production in Nigeria.
Alhaji Mahmud noted that, the Ministry had strengthened the agricultural sector via different programs including subsidizing the price of farm inputs such as seeds, chemicals, organic fertilizers, storage facilities as low as 10%.
He said the Ministry would focus on ensuring that, Maize farmers get required critical input such as growth enhancers, seed, bio rational-pesticides, herbicides and agro equipment, at affordable price.
In a remark, the President Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria, Dr Bello Abubakar noted that, the 21 Maize pyramids, each was constructed with between 30 – 79 trucks of maize.
Dr Bello revealed that, through the Anchor Borrowers Programme, the association had acquired some mechanization equipment like tractors, combined harvesters (30nos), creating both direct and indirect jobs for the teeming youth.
He described it as unprecedented in the history of commodity associations in Nigeria.
RADIO NIGERIA