The Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) is set to create one million jobs with a target of increased production and marketing of produce through the Private- Public Partnership Model (PPP).
The National President of the Association Dr. Abubakar Bello, stated this at the kick-off of the wet season maize farming and input distribution in Katsina State.
Bello in a statement yesterday noted that the PPP model approach would be able to contribute its quarter to attaining food and eradicating youth restiveness amongst others.
According to him, the association is ready to take advantage of and explore government policies for the benefit of its members and the country.
Reeling out MAAN’s achievements, Dr. Bello said the association has employed 360 young tractor operators and acquired machines for members use.
He said the programme has enhanced mechanisation and capacity building in agronomic practices and the employment of 360 youths as tractor operators under the MAAN mechanisation program.
He added that the association over time acquired important tools for members to boost production.
In view of this, he said MAAN has at its disposal 92 tractors, 55 plough discs, 21 ridger, 54 Harrows, 21 planters, 10 boom sprayers, and 24 tipping trailers.
He said: “Our contribution to the attainment of prosperous and food secured Nigeria is for all. It lies within our genuine desire to ensure we continue to contribute our quota to the overall economic development of Nigeria, in view of this we dedicated and determined our willingness to partner with our various business associates and agreed to come up with this PPP business model which we are flagging off here today.
“It lies within our thinking to make our contribution for building robust economy all as outlined in the policy advisory council report of this administration, eradication of youth restiveness, which include the ugly trend of kidnapping for ransom, banditry and other social vices affecting the country, our business model anchored on the PPP MODEL intends among other things to ensure creation of 1 million jobs through the regional agricultural commodity exchanges”.
“To meet the government policy on reviving agriculture through establishment of the agricultural commodity board, MAAN as a responsible association has repositioned itself to ensure the full benefit of commodity exchange, warehousing, produce processing and marketing are fully exploited to the benefit of our people.