Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), at a meeting in Kano, demonstrated its support for the accelerated local production of wheat in Nigeria by donating 2,500 units of three-inch water pumps and 2,500 units of plantable seeds in 50kg bags worth about N150 million to Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN).
The donation was in fulfilment of promises made at an MoU signing ceremony on June 7, 2016, in the office of the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Abuja, where FMAN promised, among other things, to assist wheat farmers with the provision of farming equipment like water pumps, threshers and seedlings to boost wheat production, in line with government’s policy to achieve food sufficiency and security, create jobs and reduce dependence on importation. The signing of the MoU was described as the beginning of collaboration and co-operation between wheat farmers and flour millers.
In his speech at the occasion, the Vice Chairman of FMAN, Mr. Olarenwaju Jaiyeola, noted that history was being made in Nigeria with the signing of the MoU between both associations with the primary goal of accelerating wheat production in Nigeria.
He noted that the event in Kano was another historic and remarkable one in fulfilment of FMAN’s promise to WFAN having met and interacted with wheat farmers to ascertain their immediate needs.
The Vice Chairman added that the effort was to assist farmers in some wheat growing states to ameliorate some of the challenges faced by farmers particularly with regards to scarcity of seedlings.
Jaiyeola was pleased to reveal that in demonstration of FMAN’s deep grounded interest, passion and commitment to accelerate wheat programme in Nigeria, it released a Research and Development Grant of N20 million to the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) in September 2016.
“The fund is to enable LCRI conduct research into improved wheat farming, wheat technology and modern agricultural practices aimed at developing improved wheat varieties with good yield. In addition, we expect that the grant will support the institute in the training and dissemination of information to wheat farmers in Nigeria,” he further disclosed.
He seized the opportunity to reiterate FMAN’s strong conviction that Nigeria would be self-sufficient in wheat production if all parties and key stakeholders were determined and worked together with sincerity of purpose.
He said, “we see our role as complimentary to government’s policies and measures, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN)’s Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) aimed at transforming how the financing of small-holder agriculture is addressed.”
Jaiyeola promised to continue to demonstrate FMAN’s support to wheat farmers from time to time with whom they were forging excellent and beneficial working relationship.
The President of the WFAN, Alhaji Salim Saleh Muhummad, expressed pleasure with the development where flour millers are collaborating with wheat farmers to improve wheat farming in the country for self-sustenance and utilisation, especially in the area of guaranteed market and support with input to farmers.
FMAN’s Executive Secretary, Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, acknowledged the commitment and pioneering role of the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubukar Atiku Bagudu. He thanked the two governors for their initiatives and support to farmers and the wheat value chain, expressing FMAN’s appreciation to the CBN for its well thought out ABP, a source of great financial support to Nigerian farmers.
He acknowledged the leadership role, encouragement and support of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who is championing great transformation and achieving major breakthroughs.
Alhaji Saliu also appreciated the efforts of Dr. O. Olabanji of the LCRI and members of his team in the wheat value chain.
In his speech at the occasion, the Vice Chairman of FMAN, Mr. Olarenwaju Jaiyeola, noted that history was being made in Nigeria with the signing of the MoU between both associations with the primary goal of accelerating wheat production in Nigeria.
He noted that the event in Kano was another historic and remarkable one in fulfilment of FMAN’s promise to WFAN having met and interacted with wheat farmers to ascertain their immediate needs.
The Vice Chairman added that the effort was to assist farmers in some wheat growing states to ameliorate some of the challenges faced by farmers particularly with regards to scarcity of seedlings.
Jaiyeola was pleased to reveal that in demonstration of FMAN’s deep grounded interest, passion and commitment to accelerate wheat programme in Nigeria, it released a Research and Development Grant of N20 million to the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) in September 2016.
“The fund is to enable LCRI conduct research into improved wheat farming, wheat technology and modern agricultural practices aimed at developing improved wheat varieties with good yield. In addition, we expect that the grant will support the institute in the training and dissemination of information to wheat farmers in Nigeria,” he further disclosed.
He seized the opportunity to reiterate FMAN’s strong conviction that Nigeria would be self-sufficient in wheat production if all parties and key stakeholders were determined and worked together with sincerity of purpose.
He said, “we see our role as complimentary to government’s policies and measures, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN)’s Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) aimed at transforming how the financing of small-holder agriculture is addressed.”
Jaiyeola promised to continue to demonstrate FMAN’s support to wheat farmers from time to time with whom they were forging excellent and beneficial working relationship.
The President of the WFAN, Alhaji Salim Saleh Muhummad, expressed pleasure with the development where flour millers are collaborating with wheat farmers to improve wheat farming in the country for self-sustenance and utilisation, especially in the area of guaranteed market and support with input to farmers.
FMAN’s Executive Secretary, Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, acknowledged the commitment and pioneering role of the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubukar Atiku Bagudu. He thanked the two governors for their initiatives and support to farmers and the wheat value chain, expressing FMAN’s appreciation to the CBN for its well thought out ABP, a source of great financial support to Nigerian farmers.
He acknowledged the leadership role, encouragement and support of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who is championing great transformation and achieving major breakthroughs.
Alhaji Saliu also appreciated the efforts of Dr. O. Olabanji of the LCRI and members of his team in the wheat value chain.
Credit: Nigeriatoday
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