By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Republic of Benin has requested to understudy Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP)and seek assistance from Nigeria to adopt its rice revolution policy.
The Minister of Finance and Economy of the Republic of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when he led a delegation on a working visit to Nigeria.
Wadagni, who led the delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the study would help the country boost her local rice production.
He said: “To strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic, we will ban any product prohibited in Nigeria. Benin and Nigeria are the same, anything that disturbs Nigeria country also disturbs us.
“Our commitment is to learn from Nigeria and we hope that in few years we will also celebrate the pyramid in Benin, under the leadership of RIFAN President.”
RIFAN National President Alhaji Aminu Goronyo briefed the delegation about the association and how it transformed and revolutionized rice production in Nigeria.
Goronyo said, “We developed a template that was adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and accepted by our President Muhammadu Buhari which as a result, Nigeria is today Rice self-sufficient nation.
“We have more than 12 million farmers working with us producing most of the Rice Paddy the country needs.
“The Republic of Benin can also leverage on that whereby your country can produce enough rice to feed herself and export excess to neighbouring countries including Nigeria. If you do this, it means you are creating wealth and job opportunities for your people and your country.”
According to the Nation, the Benin delegates also invited RIFAN officials to the Republic of Benin after sending delegation to attend rice fair in Kebbi, which was held on March 2nd, 2021.
