Maize farmers under the aegis of the Maize Association of Nigeria, (MAAN) have unveiled a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model aimed at creating one million jobs annually along the maize value chain.

This partnership is tailored towards efforts aimed at boosting the production of maize and improving the value chain while creating one million jobs through regional agricultural commodity exchange in the country.

The National President of the association, Dr. Bello Annur, unveiled the new PPP model at the launch of this year’s maize planting season held in Katsina.

Dr. Annur said the model was developed in response to various challenges faced by maize farmers, which include poor mechanization, low farming capital, lack of input supply, and an unstable commodity market.

He explained that the MAAN decided to partner with dozens of private firms to support smallholder farmers with stable input supply, soft loans, mechanization, and improved seedlings.

He said the private partners will also introduce farmers to modern farming techniques and high-yielding crop varieties to boost their production.

“Besides boosting maize production per hectare, the new arrangement will also complement other efforts at attaining food security in the country.

He urged the federal and state ministries of agriculture, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other partners to continue to support maize farmers with soft loans, input supply, and mechanization equipment.

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, identified insecurity as a major threat to farming in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Faruk Jobe, pledged that the state government would work with security agencies to restore normalcy in parts of the state where armed banditry was hindering agriculture.

“The state government’s development plan entails the full mechanization of agriculture and the harnessing of agricultural resources for economic development”, Jobe stated.