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Niger State Government has advocated that genuine investors and partners across the world leverage the various opportunities available in the state to invest their money in all aspects of agricultural practices and value chains to accelerate the transformation of the sector as envisaged by the incumbent Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago- led administration in the State.
The State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago gave the appeal while declaring open the 2024 World Food Day celebration themed: l“Niger State Agricultural Revolution Solution to Hunger and Better Health” held on Wednesday at the Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna, the State capital
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, explained that the role of genuine investors and partners was crucial towards the state government’s efforts of eliminating hunger and poverty and enhancing food security in the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
According to the Governor, the Niger state government was collaborating with several internationally funded partners in the state to improve and modernize agriculture value chain activities to boost the production of major crops like rice, yam, cassava, maize, soya beans, and Soghum, apart from exploring 3million Hectares of arable land and 23 Grazing Reserves with 90 forest Reserves to Harvest.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Salihu Bawa Bosso, in his separate remarks mentioned that his Ministry will remain resolute in the implementation of the Agricultural policies and programmes of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago- led Government, towards maintaining its position as the Food basketball of Nation, and by extension in Africa in general.
The Commissioner, ably represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mathew Ahmed, stated that to enhance Food Security and eliminate hunger and poverty, they were fully committed towards supporting farmers to engage in dry season farming, towards the attainment of value chain development programme and commended Governor Umaru Bago for his tremendous support at all times.
Salihu Bawa Bosso stated further that an independent survey conducted in Nigeria revealed that Niger state was leading in rice production and, secondly, in yam production, stressing that by next year ( 2025), the story would be different due to the aggressive agricultural transformation policy of Niger State governor.
In their separate goodwill messages representative of the Chairman, Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun, assured that Niger State will continue to thrive with agriculture serving as the cornerstone of development in addition to embracing agricultural mechanization which was key to the elimination of hunger, providing food security and increasing the livelihood for economic prosperity.
Meanwhile, some of the highlights of the occasion were the presentation of 10 Kg bags of rice to about 1,500 less privileged persons by the National Association of Women in Agriculture, which was performed by the state Deputy Governor, and a group photograph among the participants, among others.