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 commitment to ensure food sufficiency in the country.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefele stated this at the unveiling of Maize Pyramid held in Kaduna.
Mr Emefele represented by the Director Development Finance of the Bank, Mr Yusuf Yila said the nation current maize production had reached 12.2 million metric tonnes.
Mr Godwin Emefele explained that, the Central Bank of Nigeria is committed to financing over six hundred thousand hectres this year by providing funding through the financial Institutions 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 maize 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.
The CBN Governor also said the bank assisted in moderating prices of Maize and ensuring steady supply to all the major players in the market.
Mr Emefele thanked president Mohammadu Buhari for his unwavering support to the CBN in its effort to enhance food production in the country .
According to him, President Buhari 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 rapid transformation in the agricultural value chain.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Abubakar Mahmud 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 for 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 in 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 each of the 21 Maize pyramids, was constructed with 30 – 79 trucks of maize.
Dr Bello revealed that, through the Anchor Borrowers Programme, the association has acquired some mechanization equipment like tractors, combined harvesters (30nos), thereby creating both direct and indirect jobs for the teeming youth.
He described it as unprecedented in the history of commodity associations in Nigeria.
COV/AMINU DALHATU