ibironkeeniola 
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in line with its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), has partnered with the government of Gombe to sensitize rice farmers on dry season farming.
The effort by the apex bank is geared towards ameliorating the production of rice across the country, through the ABP.
Speaking on the intervention in Gombe, Commissioner of Agricultural and Animal Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji divulged that 1,500 rice farmers that had already been screened are expected to benefit from the initiative.
According to him, the meeting was set up to educate the farmers on the directives for the acquisition, provision, and repayment of the loans for the dry season, as well as determine the per hectare budget with the farmers.
He said, “We are discussing with farmers to ensure that we address issues relating to repayment because the loan is not a gift, but assistance from the Federal Government to eradicate poverty and create wealth in rural areas.’’
A representative from the Development Finance Office, CBN, Mr. Adamu Tauhid pointed that the essence of the meeting was to give crucial information to the farmers on the ABP, in preparation for the 2020 dry season farming.
Stressing the impact of the ABP on the farmers, he said “Since the inception of the ABP in 2015, it has reduced agricultural importation of what we produce, especially rice and other crops under the scheme.’’
Tauhid further urged the farmers not to misappropriate the inputs they were handed, adding that the loans, which will be disbursed at nine percent interest rate, would include inputs and cash.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA