NAN-AE-5
MoU
Yola, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) Adamawa Government in collaboration with Apex Bank and All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for commencement of the Anchor Borrowers’ project in the state.
Dr Umar Bindir, the Chairman, State Project Management Team, told newsmen on Wednesday in Yola that the agreement would open new chapter for agricultural revolution in the state.
Bindir explained that 40,000 rice and maize farmers had been registered to participate in the programme, noting that about 1,500 had successfully met the requirements to benefit from the project.
“So far, 13 trucks of fertilizers, 50,000 kilogram of improved rice seed and about 2,250 cartoons of pesticides and herbicides have been supplied and stored in two central stores in the state.
“We are expecting the arrival of over 3,000 water pump machines to be distributed to registered farmers for the take off of the project,’’ Bindir said.
According to him, farmers that have been screened will be captured into the programme.
He added that beneficiaries, who sabotage the project would be sanctioned. In his remarks, Alhaji Abdulazeez Bakari, the Manager, Agricultural Bank of Nigeria in Adamawa said that the apex bank through the bank had concluded arrangements for the take off of the programme.
“We are set to begin distribution of the agricultural inputs to beneficiary farmers,’’ Bakari said.
Mr Abbo Jiddere, the Chairman of AFAN, Adamawa branch, said that the association was satisfied with the programme.
“We are optimistic that the project will benefit farmers, especially with the arrangement of market outlets for the gram produce.’’ (NAN)
AMA/LAB/EEE
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Edited by Lydia Beshel/Ese E. Ekama