Association Commends Nigerian Government’s Subsidy Removal Measures

The National Agricultural Commodities Project, NACP, a group of Agricultural commodity associations have Applauded the moves made by President Bola Tinubu to ease the burden of subsidy removal on farmers and Nigerians while calling on him to bring an end to insecurity and farmer and herder clashes.

The commendation was made at a media briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Delivering a speech for the group, the National President of Maize Association of Nigeria, Dr. Bello Abubakar said the NACP commends the President on the palliative plan to support businesses, the working class, and the most vulnerable, as well as a policy intervention to check rising inflation and ensure exchange rate stability.

Farmer/Herder Clashes

In order for a successful execution of the laid down plans of President Tinubu, he said the insecurity in the country which is affecting farmers, particularly farmers and herders clash, needs to be addressed.

This, he said, would enable farmers to go back to the farm and produce more for the country.

“As mentioned earlier, Security has not been given sufficient attention in the President’s pronouncements yet. It is also of utmost importance to deal with the issue of insecurity because, without security, there can be no prosperity. If the issue of insecurity is not adequately dealt with, the implementation of these strategies could be in jeopardy.”

Farmer’s Inclusion

The group requested that Mr. President includes the leadership of the NACP in the planned release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains to moderate prices and the distribution of 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers, seeds and other inputs to farmers in order to ensure it gets to the targeted beneficiaries so as to assure productive achievement of the food security agenda.

Monitoring Of Fund Disbursement

On the intended disbursements of 500 billion Naira, Dr. Abubakar said a special team should be set for proper management and implementation.

“NACP suggests that N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly should be managed by a special team involving the entire Agricultural Value Chain to avoid the mistakes of the previous administration.”

“Multi stakeholder involvement in funds management and disbursement would ensure synergy and collective operations to the mutual benefit of all involved and the nation at large,” He said

On the 100 billion naira to be channeled to the cultivation of Maize, Rice, Cassava and Wheat, Abubakar said the group suggested a committee be set and the four Commodities association be actively involved in the implementation process.

“The committee’s task will be to immediately design the strategy that will help to mop the unsold produce in the rural areas and turn them into local food derivatives.

Further activities will kick start upon completion of the committee’s tasks, the timeline for which shall be eight weeks. During this time, the following would have been done:

Identification of states and local government areas where the project will commence.

Mapping and capturing participants,in cluster form, through digitalization.

Creating input redemption centres in the local government areas.

Recapitalize Bank of Agriculture, BOA, to work with commercial banks for the smooth running of the program.

Facilitating cottage Industries in the farming Communities to mitigate wastage and glutes during harvest.

Setting up a strong security network between the Agro Rangers and local vigilantes and the Police as may be approved by the National Security Adviser.

Provision of the logistics that will include vehicles, funds to upgrade existing processing factories, and other requirements.”

He added that the fund mentioned above should be 70% Grant and 30% Loan.

He said as the group commended the government for enacting these series of policies and measures; “we call on ALL STATES & LGCs to emulate the Federal Government and replicate similar initiatives in their various catchment areas. Especially now that federal allocations to all tiers of government have improved greatly. We also trust that governments at all levels would be courageous enough to cut the cost of governance.”

 

 

 

 

Shakirat Sadiq