CBN’s ABP has increased farmers’ capacity, says RIFAN

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) President Aminu Goronyo has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower Program (ABP) has increased the capacity of Nigerian farmers to achieve food security.

Goronyo said this in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency on Wednesday in Abuja.

He spoke in the context of the recent inauguration of rice mega pyramids in Abuja and RIFAN.

He explained that the intervention program had increased the number of growing seasons there production.

“Before we had a growing season, which was the rainy season. Farmers did not farm during the dry season.

“But now, with the support of the CBN through the ABP, we can do two dry-season crops with one wet-season crop, doing three,” he said.

The president of the RIFAN explained that the rice that is exhibited in the pyramids was destined as payment of the loan to the CBN of the ABP.

“The right thing to do is to hand it over to the CBN that funded the project to sell to integrated rice millers and small-scale rice millers at a subsidized rate.

“This will ensure that the end consumer can buy rice at an affordable price,” he said.

He added that the inauguration of the pyramids was an indication that Nigeria is becoming self-sufficient in food production.

“It will build confidence in Nigerians that we can now grow what we eat. We have more than enough to eat that we no longer need foreign rice,” he said. (NAN)