FOOD SECURITY: CBN partners RIFAN to boost Rice production, unveils wet season Rice Pyramid in Gombe

By Muktar Sani Saulawa, Gombe

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has unveiled “the world biggest rice pyramids” in Gombe State

Speaking at the occasion President Muhammadu Buhari, said the pyramids are a collection of nearly 200,000 bags of 70kg rice paddies harvested from various fields of farmers who have benefited from the ABP.

The President represented by the Kebbi State Governor Alh Atiku Bagudu, revealed that the apex bank financed 21,450 farmers for the cultivation of 221,450 hectares in 32 states, through the 2020 wet season CBN-RIFAN partnership.

The President charged all stakeholders to take advantage of the apex bank’s initiatives to keep stimulating the production of agricultural commodities to meet the food requirements of the country’s rising population.

Also Speaking, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and Central Bank of Nigeria, for initiating a programme that keeps encouraging farmers to contribute immensely towards national food security in the country.

Earlier, the Central Bank Governor Godwil Emiafile, noted that, From the inception of the ABP till date, CBN, in partnership with RIFAN and 23 other financial institutions, financed about 3 million farmers across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The farmers cultivated up to 3,647,642 hectares of land across 21 commodities.

In his remarks, the RIFAN president, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, commended the Buhari-led administration for his ongoing efforts to restore the agricultural sector and ensure self-sufficiency in food production.

He further stated that the rice paddies (piled up as the pyramids) will soon be taken to millers who will process and sell the rice at a “subsidised rate” for Nigerians.