From Fatima Bukar, Abuja
North East Commodity Association (NECAS) in collaboration with the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) has commenced the distribution of farming inputs for 2018 wet season to
27,000 farmers that have been affected by the insurgency in the region.
The National president NECAS, Alhaji Sadiq Deware, who stated this in Gombe during the flagging off of the distribution of the inputs, said the programme was part of Anchor Borrowers Programme and the inputs were fertilizer, herbicides, and seeds among others. Deware said the inputs would be given to them on loan basis and they were expected to pay back in three phases, adding that after the first farming cycle, they will pay 40 per cent
and the remaining two cycles 30 per cent making a total of 100 per cent.
He said 10,000 out of the 27,000 farmers were from Gombe State and attributed the development to their dedication and commitment in terms of farming activities.
The North East Zonal Manager of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation
(NAIC), Dr. Crowther Sanu, called on the farmers to engage in good agricultural
practices for better yield. He said that in case of any natural disaster, farmers should
report to the corporation for assistance.
Malam Umar Bello, Zonal Manager, Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Bauchi said about 60,000 farmers in the region had benefitted from the various Anchor Borrower programme. He further called on the beneficiaries to utilize the items for the purpose meant for. The Gombe CBN controller, Mallam Baba-Isah said the aim of the programme was to assist farmers improve production. According to him, Gombe had the highest number of beneficiaries of the anchor borrower programme, because they represent 51 per cent out of the 25,000 hectares of rice cultivated in the entire region.
Flagging off the programme, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo commended
NECAS for partnering with CBN to provide inputs for farmers at affordable price.
Dankwambo who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Buba Biri said
that the state has benefitted immensely from the programme.
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