Institutionalize ABP, NABG Tells CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been urged institutionalize the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to allow for continuity, and enable end users maximize its full benefits and sustainability.
The call which was made by the Nigeria Agribiusiness Group(NABG) also urged the CBN to reappraise the ABP and partner with the necessary Ministry to enhance full realisation of the lofty goals which holds enormous benefit to all stakeholders.
The NABG is an organised private sector platform working together to grow Nigeria’s agricultural economy, creating jobs and lifting millions out of poverty.
President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Emmanuel Ijewere stated this while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.
Ijewere who replaces late Sani Dangote as the President of the NABG pointed out that the Group’s investments cut across the entire value chain from input to output markets, export markets, equipment and consumer foods manufacturing.
According to him, the NABG strives to engage government at all levels in setting policy directions and regulatory reforms to enable sustainable inclusive socio-economic growth.
Re-echoing, Ijewere, Arch Kabir Ibrahim, Chairman, Administrative Board and President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria restated that a reappraisal of the Anchor Borrowers Programme by the CBN will ensure more imputs garnered from the private sector to make it sustainable.
Ibrahim noted that it would also make the Anchor Borrowers Programme to outlive the tenure of the present CBN Governor and make the beneficiaries to continue enjoying the enormous benefits of the programme.
The NABG said “together, we are helping to ensure food security and nutrition, creating systemic linkages between small, medium and large agribusiness enterprises”, and “working together as stakeholders in agriculture to diversify the economy of Nigeria away from oil and gas towards agricultural industrialisation”.
According to the NABG, “We recognise our role as the engine of economic growth with government creating the enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive. We represent the faces of agribusiness in Nigeria, speaking with a unified voice to identify and provide solution options to resolve issues and challenges and to identify new opportunities for sustainable growth. We recognise that farmers are the largest private sector group in Nigeria”.
The Group pointed out that “we promote the principles of inclusive growth and sustainability through gender sensitivity engagements and creating employment opportunities for our youths in a structured manner. We work with government at all levels and with Development Partners to drive sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector”.
Ijewere disclosed that the NABG’s partnership with the Bill and Mellinda Gates Foundation on advocacy would end in 2024, and is also exploring how to deploy technology in assisting end users in the agriculture value chain.
