By Rita Iliya
The Niger government says it is implementing a wide range of agricultural reforms aimed at positioning the state as Nigeria’s leading food producer.
Gov. Umaru Bago disclosed this at the Niger State Council on Agriculture meeting with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Niger Foods on Tuesday in Minna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meeting is: Driving Transformative and Sustainable Agricultural Reform in Niger state: Bridging Policy and Impact to overcome systemic Gap.
Bago, represented by Alhaji Yusuf Sadiq, his Deputy Chief of Staff, said the state was not waiting for the future of agriculture but actively creating it through deliberate planning and sustained investment
He described the council as the highest policy-making organ for agriculture in the state, saying the council was timely as food security had become central to national discussions due to its implications for peace, stability and economic growth.
Bago noted that his administration was determined to change the narrative by prioritising large-scale agricultural production.
He recalled that during the inauguration of Bola Tinubu International Airport Minna, President Bola Tinubu launched an agricultural mechanisation revolution under the food security emergency initiative.
He said Niger had aligned fully with federal efforts by signing MoUs with international partners and Dangote facility, with an expected processing capacity of 42 metric tonnes of rice per hour thereby transforming Niger into a rice production powerhouse.
He added that billions of Naira in agricultural investments had already been attracted to the state for mechanisation, land preparation, irrigation expansion, livestock development, value addition and technology deployment.
He said the initiatives were designed to boost productivity and strengthen agricultural value chains and urged stakeholders to develop actionable recommendations that would address systemic gaps, especially those affecting smallholder farmers.
In his welcome address, Dr Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Agriculture, said organisations such as FADAMA -NG-CARES and Niger Foods were helping farmers access flood and drought resistant inputs to mitigate climate-related challenges.
Ahmed commended the governor for making agriculture more attractive, saying such commitment had never been witnessed in the state.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Minna, Dr Umar Bahago, commended the organisers, saying the state now had a government that prioritised agriculture.
Bahago, represented by Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, called for the strengthening of agriculture extension services to ensure farmers received timely guidance and urged government to make inputs accessible and affordable.
Also speaking, Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr Sam Adigun, said the organisation was ready to support Niger in becoming Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse.
Adigun, represented by Mrs Patience Koku, Executive Director in Niger Foods, expressed confidence that the state had the land, people and commitment needed to feed the nation and Africa.
The AFAN Chairman in Niger, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, thanked the governor for supporting farmers and urged the council to prioritise the capturing of data for smallholders to ensure that inputs and interventions reached the right beneficiaries.
In a keynote address, Dr Rufus Idris, AGRA Country Director, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening agriculture in Niger.
According to him, AGRA has supported improvements in soil health, seed access, climate resilience, financing, access to market, adding that if Niger achieved food security, Nigeria will be closer to achieving national food sufficiency.
The event also featured presentation of awards to Bago, the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, AGRA Country Director, Niger Foods, Dr Matthew Ahmed and other partners for their contributions to advancing agriculture in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joe Idika
