By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has called on rice millers in the country to adopt the federal government’s backward integration programme to boost the country’s rice security.
He made the disclosure on Tuesday when he inaugurated the N15 billion ultra-modern 420 metric tons per day capacity rice milling factory in Kano State.
He urged rice mills owners to be involved in paddy production for sustainable supply through a partnership with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), assuring them that the bank will provide long-term loans to enable them to key into the scheme.
“As we increase the milling capacity of rice nationwide, we are encouraging all rice mills to embrace our backward integration programme and get involved in paddy production to guarantee a sustainable supply of paddy to your mills and complement the supply from smallholder farmers.
“The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides long-term financing options to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities; and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance the production plan,” Mr Emefiele stated.
He disclosed that the quality of milled Nigerian rice could match others produced in other parts of the world.
“As Nigerians, we need to become more patriotic and embrace Mr President’s mantra of producing what we eat, and eat what we grow,” he said.
Mr Emefiele noted that prior to the introduction of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Nigeria, there were less than 10 functional rice-milling plants in the country, with a combined capacity of 350,000 metric tons.
“These have increased to over 60 integrated mills, with a combined capacity of over three million metric tons, as of today, with about 10 more mills scheduled to be commissioned this year,” he said.
On his part, the Kano State Governor, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, said the state was surrounded by dams and rivers, which gave farmers ample opportunity for growing rice, tomato, and other crops. Ganduje assured that his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment for farming and business activities in the state.
Mr Ganduje revealed that the new rice mill would assist in creating jobs and boost the economic status of people in the state.
The Governors of Jigawa and Kebbi states, Mr Badaru Abubakar and Mr Atiku Bagudu, respectively, attended the ceremony. They thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for introducing the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) to guarantee food security.
Modupe Gbadeyanka