Cov/Ali Muhammad Rabiu, Kwara
At least 3.8 million farmers have been empowered through the federal government Anchor borrowers programme across the country.
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele stated this at the flag off of this year’s wet farming season and sales of recovered paddy to millers for North Central, organised by the Bank and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in Shonga, Kwara State.
Represented by Dr Olabitan Adebowale, Mr Emefiele said the programme had also created about ten million jobs for the youths.
According to him, the apex bank is pumping funds into the agricultural sector to moderate the prices of food items in the markets.
He appealed to rice farmers to ensure repayment of loans provided for them to ensure its sustainability.
In a message ,Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq represented by his Technical Assistant on Agriculture, Abdulqowiyu Olododo, said the programme was in line with his administration’s vision of supporting farmers to ensure food sufficiency.
Speaking at the event , Kwara state Coordinator of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mallam Ahmed Sa’ba said the federal government’s intervention with the provision of loans to farmers has led to improved rice production locally.