…4,000 smallholder farmers in 3 LGs to benefit

…targets over 20,000 tonnes of food for 40,000 people

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, and the Niger State Government, yesterday, signed a co-financing agreement worth N5 billion to boost food production.

The Executive Secretary, NADF, Muhammed Abu Ibrahim, and the Governor of Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, signed respectively, and basically the partnership agreement fosters synergy between NADF and the Niger State Government as far as food production is concerned.

Meanwhile, each partner will provide N2.5 billion to fund a large-scale mixed cropping initiative for the primary production of rice and maize on 4,000 hectares of land, and targeting 4,000 smallholder farmers across three local government areas of Niger State.

Also, under the agreement, the NADF will provide technical advisory role and monitoring and evaluation of the project with Niger Foods Company expected to provide off-take and market access responsibilities.

Meanwhile, also present at the epoch-making event were the Managing Director, Niger State Foods Company and other key stakeholders were in attendance at the landmark event.

Bago said: “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.

“The N5 billion project, co-funded equally by NADF and the Niger State Government will not only enhance food production but also create employment opportunities and improve the livelihoods of thousands of residents of our state as a testament to our shared commitment to feeding ourselves and securing a prosperous future for Niger State and Nigeria.”

Also, the NADF boss described the N50 billion agreement as “historic” in NADF’s establishment to boost agriculture.

“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.

“This agreement is aimed at producing over 20,000 tonnes of food and impacting at least 40,000 lives while creating employment and wealth generation for smallholder farmers and other demography in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.

It will be recalled that NADF and the Niger State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, in 2024 leading to the signing of funding agreement between NADF, Niger Foods, and the Niger State Government, setting the stage for transformative growth towards achieving food security and self-sufficiency in Nigeria.