Maize farmers under the aegis of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Niger State Chapter, have kicked against the conditions attached to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s loans under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

The farmers expressed displeasure at the conditions attached to the package designed for the 2020 farming season by the apex bank.

AgroNigeria gathered that the loan comprises the supply of fertiliser, herbicides and seeds estimated to be worth N166,000, and is to be repaid with beneficiary farmers’ seeds after harvest.

The repayment, it was gathered, could be split into two farming seasons.

Another condition attached to the loan includes the repayment with farm produce 30 bags per hectare and a deposit of N20,000 by the beneficiary farmers.

Also, participating farmers are expected to swear to an affidavit in court.

It was also gathered that the farmers were asked to deposit N3,000 in a Unity Bank account for logistics.

Ninety-one out of 143 beneficiary farmers rejected the offer which they considered unrealistic.

A member of MAAN, Hon. Usman Kwotu, while protesting noted that if allowed to continue, the conditions would work against the good intentions of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the area of agricultural revitalisation.

Kwotu accused MAAN of hijacking the loan’s process to suit its desires, adding that the new conditions were unrealistic.

“We condemn the entire process, farmers can’t meet up with the demands of this current template as prices of the items are not in consonance with the reality,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Secretary of MAAN, Adamu Jibrin wondered why the farmers were protesting the conditions.

Jibrin argued that the farmers should accept the loan conditions and be appreciative instead.
The secretary said, “The CBN loan is just a 9% interest loan programme and should be appreciated.

“The prices of the materials given will be deducted from the total package and balance will be given to the beneficiaries.

“The N3,000 deposit is for the transportation of those goods – to store and secure the materials to date. Also, a hectare can produce between 60-80 bags, therefore it is of benefit to the farmers.”