Muhammad Garba
Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has established 504 research fields in 15 northern states for testing new Wheat varieties and improving agronomic practices in Nigeria.
The National Chairman FMAN, Mr. John G Coumantaros revealed this while speaking at the celebration of “Brown Day” and flagging off the 2021/2022 Wheat harvesting period held at Gabarin village of Ringim local government Jigawa state.
He said FMAN is committed to ensuring 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 training 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 in the reserve and production of quality Wheat seed while all necessary arrangements are put in place to buy all the wheat produced by farmers at a competitive and profitable price.
In his speech the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria Mr. Godwin Emifele said, the apex bank is committed to ensuring Nigeria achieved self-reliance in terms of wheat production and food security.
The CBN Governor who was represented by Branch Controller, Hajja Saadatu Ibrahim Inuwa said since the introduction of national agricultural policy under the President Muhammad Buhari’s mantra of ‘We must Produce what we eat and we must eat what we produced’ CBN has distributed loan amounting to over N975 billion out of which Jigawa farmers accessed over N42 billion.
The Governor maintained that 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, CBN has been passionate about this, he declared
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 the agricultural sector which is in line with the state government policy on leveraging the advantage of the sector to eradicate poverty and create wealth.
