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No fewer than 10 million farmers nationwide have benefited from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programmes, National Deputy Secretary, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Alhaji Iliyasu Awodi has said.
Awodi made this known in an interview the Nigeria News Agency in Abuja on Wednesday.NAN reports that CBN anchor borrowers programme was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 17, 2015.
It is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in agro-processing and small holder farmers of the required key agricultural commodities.
While noting the benefits of the scheme to farmers, Awodi said that the multiplier effect of the programme was enormous.
“More than 10 million are engaged through the programme nationwide and it has helped in job creation.
“Farmers and millers are employing many people at the grassroots. For example in Kura, Kano, you could see the number of people employed,” he said.
On the quality of rice produced in the country, Awodi said:“We are already competing with the international community since we can produce our rice with the same quality being produced abroad.
“Already there are countries within Africa and in the Middle East that are now planning to buy our rice and that is why RIFAN is intensifying efforts to ensure we have enough rice not only to feed Nigerians but to export”.
The deputy secretary RIFAN advised the Federal Government to keep Nigeria’s land borders closed for a further period to put in place measures that would completely eliminate smuggling and revenue loss to the country.
“So the status quo should be maintained until sanity is brought to the borders,” he said.
Edited by: Bayo Sekoni/Isaac Aregbesola
The Plateau chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has hailed the ongoing closure of the nation’s land borders by the Federal Government, saying the measure has boosted rice production in the state and country.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Bitrus Joshua, made the remark in an interview with Nigeria News Agency in Jos on Tuesday.
‘’RIFAN commends the Federal Government for closing the land boarders and other efforts it has made to locally motivate rice farmers to boast rice production, ‘’ Joshua said.
He said rice farmers had recorded bumper harvest in 2019 during which enough of the commodity was produced to meet local demand, adding that the ban on importation of rice into the country was, therefore, timely.
He said that rice farmers in the country were capable of meeting the needs of Nigerians and even neighbouring countries.
The chairman, therefore, appealed to the federal government to provide rice processing machines, especially for polishing and removal of stones from rice to the producers.
’’If we are given everything we need we can do better than any country in the world and Nigerians’ demand for foreign rice would drastically reduce, ‘’ he said.
He said continued closure of the boarders coupled with the necessary provision of the required rice processing machines would make local production of the commodity to reach its peak soon in the country.
Edited by: Abdullahi Yusuf
Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Bayelsa chapter says it engaged 950 young farmers in mechanised rice farming in 2019.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko said this in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency on Tuesday in Yenagoa.
Ogbianko said the move was part of the association’s support to increase rice production and to reduce unemployment among the youth population in the state.
The chairman said explained that the young farmers were selected from the eight Local Government Areas of the state.
“In 2019, we made tremendous achievement. We were able to engage 950 young farmers cutting across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa.
“These young farmers are currently working in our lands located in various communities including Ondowari, Okpotuwari in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state.
“We cleared and cultivated rice in over 5,000 hectares of land in the same year, 2019. We have also deliberated on steps to cultivate rice all seasons. .
“We harvested 50,000 bags each per season making a total of 100, 000 bags. So, we are moving forward and we are committed to improving rice production in Bayelsa.’’
The chairman expressed delight on the steps taken by President Mohammadu Buhari led administration to promote agriculture, adding that the government’s support to farmers had been legendary.
“We hope that agriculture policy in 2020 is made more favourable for us to build on the achievement made so far,’’ he said.
Ogbianko, however, urged more youths in the state to venture into farming, adding that agriculture was money spinning business venture.
“The youths should stop seeing farming as old people’s business. I must tell them that there is money in agriculture. We must support the present government in ensuring food security,’’ he said.
Edited by: Martins Odeh/Grace Yussuf
Alhaji Abbas Ramallan, Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, has urged it’s members, to repay the farm inputs loan they received under the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
Ramallah made the call at the Wet Season Loan Recovery meeting with local government and zonal chairmen of RIFAN held in Keffi, on Sunday.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 17, 2015.
It is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.
Ramallan noted that the programme started in the state in 2018 and no fewer than 20, 000 farmers had benefited so far.
Disturbed by the non-payment of the loan facility which was in the form of farm inputs, the chairman said that the items given to farmers in the state was on loan basis and not for free.
He said that the loan to be repaid was converted to bags of paddy which was based on the number of hectares of land cultivated.
“It is not charity; it is a revolving loan. We should do things that our children will benefit from in years to come.
“Any loan given must be paid. Individuals signed indemnity with RIFAN, as well as for others and accessed the loan so it must be paid to the last kobo. I will make sure they pay.
“The year 2020 is a year of hard work. And we must achieve our aim in the year.
“A situation where you indemnify someone that is not capable of repaying you should know you are liable and you will face the wrath of the law,’’ he said.
While stating that the state was expected to provide 50,000 bags of paddy for the loan recovery, Ramallan gave the farmers a time frame of Jan. 30 to pay up at least 80 per cent of the loan.
He, however, commended President Buhari for the effort at diversifying the economy through agriculture with the collateral-free loan for farmers in the country at large.
National Deputy Secretary of RIFAN, Alhaji Iliyasu Awodi, said that there were bags of paddy to be collected and those already collected was a far cry from what was envisaged.
“The last time we were at CBN, we learnt that there will be no anchor borrower if the association fails to pay 75 per cent of the loans collected.’’
He said that if the programme was truncated, there would be a big problem for Nigerians because rice was one of the major staple food in the country.
He therefore urged the farmers to ensure prompt payment of the loan collected for government’s effort not to be in vain.
Also speaking, Alhaji Samaila Rukuba, RIFAN Consultant on Debt Recovery said that the association was an emerging platform that would ensure food security in the country.
“In spite of the border closure, we spent Christmas and New Year with enough rice. All sabotaging efforts failed,’’ he said.
Alhaji Abbas Ramallan, Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, has urged it’s members, to repay the farm inputs loan they received under the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
Ramallah made the call at the Wet Season Loan Recovery meeting with local government and zonal chairmen of RIFAN held in Keffi, on Sunday.
Nigeria News Agency reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 17, 2015.
It is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.
Ramallan noted that the programme started in the state in 2018 and no fewer than 20, 000 farmers had benefited so far.
Disturbed by the non-payment of the loan facility which was in the form of farm inputs, the chairman said that the items given to farmers in the state was on loan basis and not for free.
He said that the loan to be repaid was converted to bags of paddy which was based on the number of hectares of land cultivated.
“It is not charity; it is a revolving loan. We should do things that our children will benefit from in years to come.
“Any loan given must be paid. Individuals signed indemnity with RIFAN, as well as for others and accessed the loan so it must be paid to the last kobo. I will make sure they pay.
“The year 2020 is a year of hard work. And we must achieve our aim in the year.
“A situation where you indemnify someone that is not capable of repaying you should know you are liable and you will face the wrath of the law,’’ he said.
While stating that the state was expected to provide 50,000 bags of paddy for the loan recovery, Ramallan gave the farmers a time frame of Jan. 30 to pay up at least 80 per cent of the loan.
He, however, commended President Buhari for the effort at diversifying the economy through agriculture with the collateral-free loan for farmers in the country at large.
National Deputy Secretary of RIFAN, Alhaji Iliyasu Awodi, said that there were bags of paddy to be collected and those already collected was a far cry from what was envisaged.
“The last time we were at CBN, we learnt that there will be no anchor borrower if the association fails to pay 75 per cent of the loans collected.’’
He said that if the programme was truncated, there would be a big problem for Nigerians because rice was one of the major staple food in the country.
He therefore urged the farmers to ensure prompt payment of the loan collected for government’s effort not to be in vain.
Also speaking, Alhaji Samaila Rukuba, RIFAN Consultant on Debt Recovery said that the association was an emerging platform that would ensure food security in the country.
“In spite of the border closure, we spent Christmas and New Year with enough rice. All sabotaging efforts failed,’’ he said.
Edited by: Abigael Joshua/Sadiya Hamza
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has provided farm inputs worth N200,000 to each of about 16,163 Rice Farmers in Taraba for the 2020 dry season farming.
The loan was provided by the association to it’s registered members from Wukari, Ibi, Ardo Kola, Gassol, Lau Jalingo, Bali, Karim-Lamido, Yorto and Donga local government areas of the state. Distributing the farm inputs in Jalingo on Sunday, the Taraba Chairman of the association, Malam Tanko Andami, said the association secured the loan through the Unity Bank. According to Andami, the loan facility was guaranteed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its ‘Anchor Borrower’s Scheme. He said that apart from the inputs, each beneficiary of the scheme would receive N60,000 cash from Unity Bank, to take care of cost of labour on his rice farms. He said each beneficiary of the loan was expected to repay the facility after harvest. The chairman said further that before the disbursement of the loan, a consultant, Fair Global, was engaged by the association to carry out mapping of members across the local government areas of the state. He said only those that were captured were given the loan. He said that this was the second time the loan was given to rice farmers in the state, adding that the scheme had helped to boost rice production in the state. Tanko said with the introduction of the Anchor Borrower Scheme farmers in the area were no longer taking loans from middle men, who charged high interest rate. He expressed satisfaction over the response of beneficiaries in repaying the loan granted to rice farmers last year. Edited by: Olabisi Akinbode and Abdullahi YusufAs normalcy return to Michika town of Adamawa following night attack by insurgents, many residents that abandoned their houses during the incursion that was repelled by the military have started returning home.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that many residents fled their houses during the Thursday night attack to take refuge in the bush and surrounding hills.
“Some of us ran to villages like Bazza, Husara and Uba. I am just returning to Michika from Uba with my family,” said a man who simply identified himself as Ali Carpenter.
Another resident, Mr Sini John, said about 20 of them took refuge on the hill.
“It was a terrible experience with the harsh harmattan weather.
“Some people were bold and went back home when the shooting subsided and it was clear that the insurgents had withdrawn, many of us however decided to remain on the hill till this morning; it is better than going back to face another surprise,” John said.
On the return of normalcy, the Adamawa Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) who is also the traditional title holder of Ubandoma of Michika, Mr Stephen Maduwa, said things had normalised and people are returning home.
Maduwa said so far he has no information of any civilian casualty.
“We are still assessing the casualty situation and so far I am not aware of any civilian killed or injured but we saw the death body of one insurgent.
“From all indication the insurgents were here to steal food and there is a truck they abandoned with food items and two motorcycle,” Maduwa said.
Security agencies and Adamawa Government are yet to comment on the
development at the time (9 am) of filing in this report.
Edited by: Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Nigerian farmers must take advantage of border closure- Rice farmer
Rice
Lagos, Dec. 17, 2019 Mrs Bosun Solarin, a rice farmer has urged Nigerian farmers to take advantage of the current border closure by increasing local production to meet rising demand.
Solarin, a member of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), disclosed this in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency on Tuesday in Lagos.
She said although local farmers may not meet increasing demand in the short run, they must strive hard to meet the demand in the long run.
“Nigerians should not expect miracle in three-months of the border closure but I believe that before next year’s Christmas, the price of rice would have crashed and there will be so much local rice in the market,” she said.
Solarin also commended government for its numerous support to rice farmers.
“There was an exhibition of a rice processing machine recently brought in by Nigerians in Diaspora, it is a modular machine that can process 101kg of rice in one hour.
“Individual farmers can easily afford this machine for rice processing and it comes with its own de-stoner and can be powered by a generator when there is no electricity power supply.
“With the influx of rice processing machines into the country at affordable prices to the local farmers, we will be able to overcome the challenges of stones in our local rice.
“With these machines we can remove the rice husk that the farmers can resell to poultry farmers and the bran can also be sold to pharmaceutical companies.
“However, we thank God for what government is doing to support local rice farmers since the border closure. The government is now paying more attention to rice farmers,” Solarin said.
She called on investors to take advantage of the border closure to invest in local rice cultivation to further boost production and create more jobs to ensure social security.
Also Alhaji Aminu Goroyo, RIFAN President, noted that local rice consumption has risen tremendously due to change in consumer preference from imported to local rice.
He said it was in the past that most Nigerians preferred imported rice brands as compared to local rice varieties, because then most Nigerian rice processors lacked adequate technology of rice processing to meet international standard.
Goronyo said this was because rice processing involved several steps which range from removal of the husks, milling the shelled rice to remove the bran layer, whitening step to de-stoners to remove stone content.
He highlighted that another improvement in rice processing in Nigeria was the drying process as the traditional sun drying has been replaced by mechanical and solar dryer for drying rice paddy.
Goronyo said Nigeria has become the highest rice producing country in West Africa.
“The increase in production and zeal for local consumption could be attributed to the ban imposed on rice import by President Mohammadu Buhari’s government and this restriction has been maintained with the border closure.
“Nigerian rice farmers have risen to the challenge of meeting domestic demand for the commodity and for rice production to be boosted, federal government is continuing with the Anchor Borrowers Programme and RIFAN has put in place strategies to monitor production,’’ he said.
Edited By: Philip Dzeremo/Ali Baba-Inuwa
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Bayelsa chapter, says it produced 100, 000 bags of rice annually in its efforts to achieve sufficient food for the people.
The Chairman of the Association, Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko told the Nigeria News Agency in Yenagoa that members were committed to make rice available during and after the yuletide season.
Ogbianko explained that the harvest was from the two season of cultivation in the state, which included the wet and dry season.
According to the Chairman, we harvest 50, 000 bags each per season, that is: wet and dry, making 100, 000 bags annually.
“On our activities as RIFAN, this year, 2019; we have engaged over 950 young farmers cut across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa. These ones are currently working in our lands located in various communities of the state.
“This year, 2019, we cleared and cultivated rice in over 5, 000 hectares of land and hopefully, we will harvest 50, 000 bags each per season (wet and dry season), making a 100, 000 bag annually,” Ogbianko said.
The Chairman further thanked the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari on the supports given to farmers, especially the RIFAN.
“The Federated government has been up and doing, supplying of seedlings and others farm inputs. We thank all bodies that have supported us,” he said.
On prices of rice in the market, Ogbianko urged the residents not to panic as they were working hard to make rice more available and affordable in the state.
NAN reports that bags of rice are being sold in the state between N13,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
Also, a 50kg bag of local rice, mainly from Ebonyi state and some states in the North are sold from between N13, 000 and N17, 000 respectively depending on the brand and quality.
Those regarded as foreign rice cost between N22, 000 and N30, 000.
Edited by: Modupe
(NAN) Adeloye/Maureen Atuonwu
A Lagos-based rice farmer, Mrs Bosun Solarin, has commended the Federal Government for closing land borders and ensuring a window for local farmers to work hard to meet increasing rice demand in the country.
Solarin, also a member of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), made the commendation during an interview with the Nigeria News Agency on Monday in Lagos.
She said even though farmers might not meet the huge demand for rice by the public, as yuletide season fast approached,very soon, local rice would flood the markets.
“Nigerians should not expect any miracle in three months but before 2020 Christmas, the prices of rice would have crashed and there will be so much local rice in the market,” she said.
Solarin, who also lauded the government for supporting rice farmers, noted that stones posing impediment in the consumption of local rice had become a thing of the past.
She said there had been machines designed to remove stones content in the rice.
“There was an exhibition of rice processing machine recently brought in by Nigerians in diaspora.It is a modular machine that can process 101kgs of rice in one hour.
“Individual farmers can easily afford this machine for rice processing; it comes with its own de-stoner and can be powered by generator when there is no electricity power supply.
“With the influx of rice processing machines into the country at affordable prices to the local farmers, we will be able to overcome the challenges of stones in our local rice.
“With these machines, we can remove the rice husk that the farmers can resell to poultry farmers and the bran can also be sold to pharmaceutical companies.
“We thank God for what the Federal government is doing to support local rice farmers since the land borders were closure. The government is now paying more attention to rice farmers,” Solarin said.
Solarin, however, called on investors to take advantage of the border closure to invest in local rice cultivation, to further boost local production and create more jobs to ensure social security.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Goroyo, President, Rice Farmers` Association, however, noted that rice consumption had risen tremendously due to changes in consumer preferences from imported rice to local rice.
He said it was in the past that most Nigerians preferred to consume imported rice brands, compared to local rice varieties.
Goroyo traced the development, then, to the fact that most Nigerian rice processors lacked adequate technology of rice processing to meet international standard.
Goronyo said this was because rice processing involved several steps ranging from removal of the husks, milling the shelled rice to removal of the bran layer and whitening step to de-stoners to remove stone content.
According to him, there is also an improvement in rice processing in Nigeria whereby the mechanical and solar dryer for drying rice paddy had replaced traditional sun drying of the commodity.
He said Nigeria had become the highest rice producer country in West Africa, adding that the production soared due to increase in population growth and increase in consumption trend of rice in the country.
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government policy on the total ban of rice imports would sustain steady and healthy production of rice in the country.
“Increased production and the recent zeal for local consumption could be attributed to the ban imposed on rice import by President Mohammadu Buhari’s government.
“Nigerian rice farmers have risen to the challenge of meeting the domestic demand for the commodity and for rice production to be boosted.
The Federal government is continuing with the Anchor Borrowers Programme and RIFAN introduced institutions to monitor production, all with the hope of boosting rice production’’ he said.
.
Goronyo said Nigeria had a good climate for rice production, adding that its favourable market to absorb the production and the quality of indigenous rice had improved tremendously.
This he said would enable the country to compete with foreign rice through selection and adaptation of modern rice technologies to ease labour in production and enhance nutritional qualities in rice processing and production.
“The comparative advantage of Nigeria in rice production is a great opportunity for investors to leverage on and government has played a strong role with the recent policies.
“These policies include ban on rice importation, release of funds and boarder closure that favoured production of local rice,” he said.
RIFAN President also said that the association had signed Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Ministry of Water Resources for proper utilisation of the irrigation channels of the 12 River Basin Authorities (RBDAs) to boost rice production.
Goronyo said the innovation was one of the moves to ensure that more rice flood the market, to force down prices.
Edited by: Philip Dzeremo/Dada Ahmed
(NAN)
