National President, Maize Growers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN), Mr Edwin Uche has confirmed the association’s receipt of N13 billion worth of support from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for 2020 wet season maize production.

This is in addition to another N16 billion given to other farmers under the aegis of Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) for maize production this year through CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme.

Uche who spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting of the association on Friday in Abuja called on the maize farmers to take advantage of the programme to increase maize yield to be able to pay back the loan.

“MAGPAMAN has received N13 billion for the wet season maize anchor borrower programme for 70,000 farmers.

“Our farmers have gotten their inputs and they have also received their cash components. They are farming and activities are going on and we are working to address gaps where necessary,” he said.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Head of Development Finance Department, Mr Yusuf Yila said that the apex bank would intensify its support to the farmers to meet the production of the targeted 12.5 million metric tons of maize in the next 18 months.

Represented by Mr Elennor Ihua, Yila said that increased support was critical to the development of maize value chain in the country.

The meeting focused on strategies for effective implementation of 2020 wet season for the CBN-MAIZE Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

Daily Trust