Food Security: MAAN to increase maize Production – President.

By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna.

As part of efforts towards boosting of Agricultural Product, especially Maize in the country that is been consumed on daily basis,by both human and Animals, the National association of Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria,MAN,

Has organized a two-day National stakeholders workshop on New Strategies for Redirecting the compass of Maize.

In his keynote address, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Muhammed Mahmud , representate by Director of Agriculture in the Ministry Engineer Abdullahi Abubakar,said”the administration of President Buhari will continues to promote various agricultural produce such as maize through its various agenda.

“It is this interest that has made us in the Federal Ministry of agriculture and Rural Development, to initiate strategies to ensure food Security in Nigeria.lt is imperative for this program to interact with stakeholders from both the Public and Private sectors to synergize and come up with appropriate template and roadmap for the development of an efficient and economically viable sub-sector.

“There is no gain saying the fact that Maize remains a major sources of livestock feed in Nigeria.it is becoming increasingly popular as food and confectionery industry, product is consumed as whole grain or processed in various ways in traditional dishes and snacks.it is my expectation that this workshop will come up with resolutions that bridge the gap between the demand and supply,and help with surplus for processing and export.

“It is gratifying to note that small, medium and large-scale farmers, Processors and marketers are now showing Keen interest in investing in Maize Production and Processing, in order to create demand for the surplus which will arise from these interest, efforts are being made to bring off-takers to avoid alot of glust.

He Street that much can be done to Sustain the gains recorded so far in Agriculture development without adequate funding.This is why we are grateful to Mr President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring adequate funding for Agricultural programs and projects,it is imperative for us to ensure that there is no gap between demand and supply of Maize in Nigeria .This will further encourage government to sustain the ban on Maize grains importation.

“The workshop marking the beginning of building maize grain pyramid to indicate that Nigeria is a leading producers of Maize in Africa.there is no doubt that the interest you have shown in this program will further enhance grassroots participation. he concluded.

Alhaji Bello Abubakar Funtua, said “Farmers will increase the heaters of land in order to increase production of Maize at this year farming season so that they can meet the demands of the commodity by consumer.

The President is Speaking at a two days National stakeholders workshop on new strategies for Redirecting the compass of Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) in Kaduna organized for their members across the Six Geopolitical zones, on modern technics of Maize production,

He explained that the training will go along way in giving the farmers a new methods of Maize production, will increase Maize cultivation and production because is consumed on daily basis,as food for both human and Animals.

“Our members will double the amount of metrics tones of the Maize as well as the heaters of land, although the issue of Insecurity have really effect the production of Maize, many of our farmers cannot go to farms,and cannot take the product from the farms because of this Insecurity,we are calling on the government to do it’s possible best to curtail the manace of insecurity so that farmers can go to farms, he added.