Anchor Borrowers: Bauchi Wheat Farmers Applaud FG, Expect Bumper Harvest

By Ahmed Ahmed

Bauchi wheat dry season farmers applauded the Federal Government for the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) says it gears towards bumper harvest.

Our correspondent reports that Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) is a component of the Federal Government’s agriculture programmes aimed at encouraging food productivity, implemented by the CBN.

Some wheat farmers interviewed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the support received from the Federal Government Anchor Borrowers Programme has boosted wheat production in the state. Alhaji Alhasan Samaila- the District Head of Warji, who is also the Chairman of wheat farmers in Warji said the ABP has boosted wheat dry season farming and is widely accepted by wheat farmers.

“We are encouraged by the FG Programme that provides us with assorted fertilizers, high-yielding seed varieties and chemicals, and financial backing.

“In Warji Community alone we have 17 clusters of wheat farmers with 340 people growing on 340 hectares of land and expecting bumper harvest at the end of season,” he said. On his part, Alhaji Babangida Garba Treasurer of Wheat farmers in Misau local government said 141 hectares of land was cultivated with 122 farmers working on the farm in 14 clusters.

“We are expecting to harvest 60 bags in each of the hecters looking at the hard work and how the crops steadily germinate without any problem. “Despite some constraints of delayed supply of inputs, the programme had given the farmers a new lease of life,” he said.

Another Beneficiary, Alhaji Anas Umar,Chairman dry season farmers in Bauchi hailed the Anchor borrowers programme in the state, “I am growing wheat in 10 hectares and we distributed fertilizer, a sprayer machine, high yield seeds and herbicides among others to 1,800 farmers.”

He added that about 99 percent of the farmers have planted and the crops are growing, that gives us hope to have good harvest of wheat in the state Umar expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government and CBN for their inclusion in the ABP, promising that they would ensure its successful implementation.

Mr Ibrahim Sadiq, the Coordinator Wheat Farmers, Processors and Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (WFPMAN)” speaking after inspection of wheat farms and clusters, lauded the ABP for supporting wheat farmers in the state. “I saw the zeal in the farmers with the support of FG and their efforts. Most of the farms I have visited are very impressive with clear indications of getting a wheat pyramid.

“We are grateful to the Federal Government for remembering us and bringing this project to us, rural dwellers.

“On our part, we will strive to ensure that the project is a success in our community. We pledge that we will not fail the FG and CBN.”

He said that ABP had provided opportunities for many wheat farmers in Bauchi to access farm inputs easily.