Adamu tells FG to transfer Anchor Borrowers Programme to Agric ministry

Wed, Oct 16, 2019
By publisher
3 MIN READ

Agriculture

THE National Agricultural Foundation has called on the Federal Government to transfer the management and operation of Anchor Borrowers Programme to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Chairman of the foundation made the call at the World Food Day exhibition on Wednesday in Tudunwada, Nasarawa state, that the borrowers programme should be removed from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Adamu spoke at the 11th edition of the agricultural show and exhibition to commemorate the 2019 World Food Day.

The theme for the year’s event is, “Our Actions are our Future. Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger.”

According to him, the CBN was not rightly positioned to administer the programme, which was one of the reasons the programme cannot be adjudged to be successful.

“The ministry of agriculture, which has the primary mandate for implementing all national agricultural policies should take over the scheme to properly cascade it to the intended beneficiaries.”

Adamu, also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, said that food security could not be attained in one day, saying, “It is not magic”.

He said that food importation would not end soon but that stakeholders should ride on the initiatives of the government to achieve the needed development.

The senator said that the initiatives including, the Green Alternative, Anchor Borrowers Programme, National Livestock Transformation Plan, Tree Plantation plan and Cotton Production Plan would help reposition the sector if well implemented.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has initiated several new policy directives to encourage the three tiers of government to put their hands to the plough. It is the most sensible way to go.

“The federal and state governments must do everything possible to ensure that our land will turn green again with local food and cash crop production.

“I see a synergy among the three tiers of government following their commitment to agriculture. They will help to chart a new course for it,’’ he said.

The chairman commended the closure of the borders and urged the government to ignore calls to open it.

He said that the calls were coming from smugglers, who were not happy with the development.

He further urged the government to protect local farmers by banning importation of some food items.

“The protection of local farmers against foreign invaders must rank high in our list of priorities.

“Government should also review the mandate of the Nigeria Agriculture Quarantine Services as well as research institutes,’’ Adamu said.

The senator further called for agriculture subsidy for farmers. (NAN)

– Oct 16, 2019 @ 17:55 GMT |

Tags: