The Programme Manager,Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Chief Israel Amanze has flagged off the Maize Anchor Borrowers Planting for 2020 Cropping season.
This followed series of meetings between 2019 CBN-MAAN beneficiaries, MAAN Abia state chapter, AFAN Abia state and Adp officials where it was discovered that most 2019 beneficiaries were afraid to plant because of late supply of inputs. It was resolved that with full onset of rains as confirmed by Nimet all 2019 farmers were advised to kick off planting immediately.
Performing the flag off ceremony at Abia ADP Headquarters Umuahia, Chief Amanze who is the MAAN BOT member representing South East Zone said that the Programme is in-line with the vision of Governor of the State to revolutionize agriculture in the state, adding that the ADP in collaboration with the CBN and the Maize Association of Nigeria had procured Improved varieties of maize seeds, chemicals and other inputs to make the Programme successful by starting with the rolling over facilities from 2019 ABP programme.
The ADP Programme Manager disclosed that the state will have fresh maize within 60-70 days of planting which would include all those who collected inputs in 2019 planting season, he pointed out that about four thousand maize farmers have been registered and forwarded to CBN for validation and approval in the CBN-MAAN Anchor Borrowers Programme and revealed that Extension agents have been deployed all over the state to give technical assistance to farmers.
Chief Amanze informed all that the, state Governor, the National President of MAAN, more Reps of CBN, Unity Bank and NAIC were all billed to grace the occasion but following the prevailing Covid -19 lockdown the ceremony had to be scaled down to avoid delaying planting.
He advised all farmers who have received inputs before now to immediately commence planting.
Chief Amanze in an interview pleaded with CBN to kindly and quickly release the list of successful maize Small Holder Farmers’ applicants for the 2020 planting season to avoid untimely release of inputs that delayed last year planting season in the South East Zone. The ADP manager and farmers made a strong case for using Green maize to fight hunger adding that it gives twice profit as dried maize.
Also speaking the state Chairman Maize Association of Nigeria Abia State chapter, Chief Onyenkachi Erondu said that One Hundred and Eighty Seven Maize farmers had already benefitted from the 2019 Maize Anchor Borrowers Programme, expressing the hope that more than three to four thousand farmers will benefit this year and thanked CBN top Management, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia ADP Program Manager for their support.
Commenting the Head of DFO assured them that as long as the participate actively and repay their loans as when due they will continue to be part of CBN programmes in the State.
Director Technical Services Dept ADP, Mrs Nnenna Uche said that this will help farmers to plant maize more than three times a year or use maize as a catch crop and later plant other crops on the same land the same year
In his remarks the Focal point officer, Army Worms project, Mr Chukwudi said that the feromone traps has been put in place to trap intruding insects.
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