Musa Arab, a rice miller in Gombe, has recommended that the federal government should devise means of “leveraging simple technology such as Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s model so that the loans and fertilisers can get to the real farmers.”

Akinwunmi Adesina, now president of the African Development Bank, was the Agriculture minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s reign.

He was credited with devising a phone-based technology to deliver fertilizers to farmers, cutting out sleaze and racketeering which had earlier infested the scheme

Speaking with NAN in Gombe on Thursday, Mr. Arab decried the high cost of farming which was reducing the capacity of many farmers to cultivate more, adding that the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) was not getting to the real farmers.

According to him, if the ABP loans reach the real farmers as intended by the federal government, more farmers will be empowered and Nigeria will have better rice production statistics.

He however commended Aso Rock’s directive to stop issuing foreign exchange for the purpose of food importation.

President Buhari had in December 2020 reiterated his earlier directive to CBN not to grant foreign exchange for food importation.

Mr. Arab said such a directive was necessary for the growth of the agricultural sector and the diversification agenda of the government.

The move by the federal government is commendable as it will help promote the policy of “eating what you grow and growing what you eat policy,” he said.

“If we keep cultivating rice and Nigerians are not eating the rice, then who will?

“We must set an example by eating what we grow just as Nigerians eat our beans let’s also do with rice.

“This is why I commend Mr. President for this good directive and all other policies aimed at boosting the agricultural sector.

“Today I am a proud agri-businessman while employing several youths too,’’ he added.

Mr. Arab stated that agricultural policies of the Buhari administration since 2015 had impacted positively on the agricultural sector particularly rice cultivation, processing and marketing which he said had helped reduce youth unemployment.

“One good policy was the border closure which pushed so many into farming especially rice cultivation.

“This is the reason when COVID-19 came and countries closed their borders we were still able to feed,’’ he said.

Mr. Arab however was silent on the rising cost of rice and other food commodities with the attendant inflation rates in the economy.

On the border re-opening, the rice miller said he had no fears as majority of Nigerians now understood the several benefits of eating local rice which according to him, is now better polished and refined.

Mr. Arab, who is also a rice farmer said the food security agenda of the federal government was on course as more investments were now being made in rice production.

“As a farmer I have expanded my base from Gombe to Taraba like many other farmers too.

“With these efforts, especially with the renewed efforts in dry season farming, we can produce rice to feed Nigerians,’’ he said.