By Aliyu Bello
The National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, and the Niger State Government have signed a co-financing agreement worth N5 billion, to improve food security and enhance agricultural productivity, in Abuja.
The partnership agreement would see each partner provide N2.5 billion to fund a large-scale mixed cropping initiative for the primary production of rice and maize production across 4,000 hectares targeting 4000 smallholder farmers across three local government areas of Niger State.
Under the agreement, the National Agricultural Development Fund would provide technical advisory role, monitoring and evaluation of the project with Niger Foods Company expected to provide off take and market access responsibilities.
The Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership,
“Today’s event remains very historic in our effort to boost agriculture through joint funding of large hectares of land to produce food and improve food security for the benefits of our people in line with our mandate.
“We are indeed excited to witness the first of agriculture financing agreements with Niger State and the Niger Foods Limited”.
On his part, the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago emphasized the critical need for self-reliance in food production.
“In line with the President’s Food Security Initiative, it is imperative for us to achieve food sovereignty. We have abundant resources-rain, water bodies, and arable land – and must put them to productive use”
“This initiative, anchored by Niger Foods, represents a bold step in the right direction.” he added
Governor Bago, however, noted that the N5 billion project, co-funded equally by NADF and the Niger State Government, would not only enhance food production but also create employment opportunities and improve the livelihoods of thousands of residents thereby, securing a prosperous future for Niger State and the nation.
