Sustain ban on maize importation, MAAN tells FG

By Juliana Agbo, Abuja

The Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), has called on the Federal government to sustain the ban on maize importation into the country to further boost production and encourage farmers.

The association said farmers in the country are currently producing enough to meet up the local demand of maize in Nigeria.

President of the association, Dr. Bello Abubakar Funtua made the call at the inauguration of the first National Maize Pyramids and flag off of the 2021 wet season farming in Katsina State.

Funtua said the farmers have the capacity to produce enough for local consumption and industrial use.

“We say no to maize importation into Nigeria and we will always support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for denying maize importers forex.

“The CBN supports President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of “eat what we produce and produce what we eat” as far maize is concerned, we can produce enough for our consumption and industrial use”,he added.

On impact of the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme on farmers and maize production, he said the programme has helped smallholder maize farmers in the country attain quality production and a sustainable life.

On loan repayment Dr. Abubakar called on his fellow farmers to cultivate the habit of repaying their loans in order to ensure the success of the Anchor Borrower’s Programme.

“The success of the Anchor Borrower’s Programme lies in our conduct as maize farmers, we therefore need to be optimistic in our thoughts and in repaying our loans as at when due for the survival of the programme”

On his part, CBN Governor, Dr. Godwin Emefiele, said the unveiling of the maize pyramids by the association is a demonstration of the progress made with commodity association towards attaining self sufficiency in food production in Nigeria.

“This maize pyramid unveiling programme marks another milestone in the CBN Anchor Borrower’s story and further demonstrates the progress we made in with commodity association towards attaining Food sufficiency in Nigeria”

He said the Apex bank was able to achieve success in the programme because of the synergy amongst stakeholders and the readiness of Nigerian farmers.

“The anchor borrower’s programme has proven to be a game changer in the financing of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and it has revolutionized agricultural financing and has remain the bedrock of agricultural programme in Nigeria, beyond being a tool for economic empowerment, job creation and wealth redistribution, it has also helped to strengthen financial inclusion in our rural community”

Dr. Emiefele added that Apex bank would continue to release maize from strategic grains reserves into the market in order to moderate the price of maize in the market to checkmate the activities of hoarders.