By Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse
The Central Bank of Nigeria has expended N975 billion in 2021/2022 to ensure Nigeria achieved self reliance in terms of wheat production and food security.
The CBN Governor Godwin Emiefele who was represented by the Jigawa State Branch Controller Hajja Saadatu Ibrahim Inuwa made the disclosure at the celebration of ‘Brawn Day’ and flag off of the 2021/2022 Wheat harvesting period held at Gabarin village of Ringim local government Jigawa state.
He said, “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”.
According to him “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 indicated.
These he said the CBN has been passionate about.
In his speech the Jigawa state governor who was represented by his deputy Malam Umar Nadi commended FMAN and CBN for their kind intervention in agricultural sector which is in lime with the state government’s policy on leveraging the advantage of the sector to eradicate poverty and create wealth.
The governor promised to form Wheat Production state Governor’s association as he made serious commitments to supplement the central bank and flour milling association of Nigeria
The chairman Flour Milling Association of Nigeria, (FMAN), Mr John G. Coumantarous said FMAN in collaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria has established 504 research field in 15 Northern stated for testing new Wheat varieties and improve agronomic practices in Nigeria.
He said he is committed to ensure wheat farmers get access to financial support, improved seeds and modern techniques of farming to improve their productivity.
The Chairman explained that, 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.
Mr. John 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.