Anambra Rice Farmer Wins CBN ACGSF 2020 Best Farmer Award

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A rice farmer, Mr Anthony Uchechukwu Nnubuonye of Sheriff Farms, Ifite-Ogwari, Ayamelum Local Government Area has won the 2020 Anambra Best Farmer of the Year Award.

The award is issued by Central Bank of Nigeria and the Board of Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund, ACGSF, through the Awka Branch of the apex Bank.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme fund which was established by Decree Number 20 of 1977 with the intention to boost Food Production in the country, commenced operation in April 1978.

Due to the fast-changing economic environment in the country, the fund has grown from an initial share capital of three billion naira (N3b)  to fifty billion naira (N50b) and has so far guaranteed over one hundred and twenty-two-point-six-three-two billion naira (N122.632) loans.

Mr Nnubuonye won the award as being the best farmer who participated under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund, ACGSF, implemented the best agronomic practices, maintained good farm records and recorded good yeild to pay back the loan and the interest on or before the final date of repayment.

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Explaining that the award ceremony was on the direction of the board of the fund and the bank’s Director of Development finance office, the Controller of Central Bank of Nigeria, Awka Branch, Mr Benedict Maduagwu said the fund has allowed for a complete value-chain financing including production of farm machineries, implements and equipment for production, processing, storage and transportation.

He said it has also, in no small measure, geared towards making Nigeria a self-sufficient food producer, creating millions of jobs, supply key markets and help to damp the adverse effects of exchange rate movement of local prices.

Mr Maduagwu, represented by the Branch’s Head of Development Finance Office, Mrs Bridget Okparaeke reiterated the call on deposit money and micro finance banks to lend more to those in agriculture by providing beneficiaries guarantee cover.

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In a goodwill message, the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Nnamdi Onukwuba commended the Central Bank of Nigeria for initiating the award which he noted will encourage more farmers to access the loans under the scheme and assured that the robust relationship between the state government and the apex which has helped the State become one of the major agricultural producing and exporting states in the country will be sustained.

The winner, Mr Ndubonye who said he  was filled with joy for being recognized said the initiative will booster farmers’ confidence and commended the Anambra State Government, the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria for the different initiatives which they have introduced to help farmers have access to more funds while calling on other farmers to explore the opportunities provided by government to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in food production.

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The event was attended by representatives of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC, and twenty five deposit money banks and microfinance banks in the state.

It also provided a platform for the banks to suggest ways of improvement in the implementation of the scheme.

The awardee went home with one hundred thousand naira cash price, a plaque and certificate to encourage him and help to sensitize more farmers on the project.

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