The Cross River State Government has begun training of rice farmers that would benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrower’s Programme on Rice Value Chain in the state.
Godwin Akwaji, the Coordinator of the CBN Anchor Borrower’s Programme and Senior Assistant to the Governor on Revenue, said on Monday in Calabar that the programme was designed to boost rice production.
Akwaji maintained that it was government’s way of addressing poverty among the people of the state.
He said: “The government was determined to touch the lives of the people through the provision of loan facilities to all interested farmers.
“I therefore urge you to take advantage of the loan facility, which will be given at nine per cent interest rate to all eligible rice farmers to boost their yields.”
The special assistant maintained that the exercise will cut across all the three senatorial district of the state.
Also speaking, Dr. Francis Adie, the Team Leader of Northern Senatorial Zone, expressed happiness at the large turnout of farmers, particularly the youths, and advised the farmers to make use of the opportunity to increase their income.
Also, Ekok Obasse, the Team Leader of Central Senatorial Zone, said he was happy with the willingness of the people, especially the women to venture into rice farming.
Obasse, who commended the people for turning out to be part of the exercise, urged them to have faith in the exercise.
The Team of Leader of Southern Senatorial Zone, Dr. Martina Ubi, also lauded the determination of rice farmers to identify with the programme despite the economic challenges in the state.
Ubi noted that the large turnout of farmers was an indication that the programme would succeed in the state.
Anari Anari, the Director of Agric Services in the Ministry, noted that with the large turnout of people for the Anchor Borrower’s progamme on rice value chain, the people were ready for the exercise.
Anari commended the enthusiasm shown by farmers in the state, especially the youths, who have decided to shun white collar jobs to return to agriculture.
Anari explained that the state government would put necessary machinery in place before disbursement of the loans to qualified farmers to ensure repayment.
In an interview, a rice famer, Otu Ekpenyong, commended the government and CBN for the gesture and promised that farmers would take advantage of the opportunity to improve their lives.
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