George George Idowu
Niger State Government has entered into a ₦2.5 billion agreement with the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to enhance dry season farming in the state.
The funds will be directed toward the cultivation of key crops, including rice, soya beans, maize, and sesame, across 100,000 hectares of land.
The agreement, signed at the NADF headquarters in Abuja, marks a major step toward increasing agricultural productivity in Niger State.
Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, represented the state government, while NADF Executive Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, and the agency’s legal counsel signed on behalf of the NADF.
The long-term collaboration will see both the Niger State Government and NADF contributing ₦2.5 billion each toward the project.
Niger Foods, the state’s agricultural agency, will supply the necessary mechanized farming equipment and inputs to support the initiative, which is expected to empower about 49,000 smallholder farmers.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Bago described the agreement as historic and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to harnessing its agricultural resources to help feed the nation.
“Niger State is already well on course in achieving the goal of national food security,” Bago said, noting that the partnership with NADF would bring long-term prosperity to the state.
Muhammad Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of NADF, commended Governor Bago for his leadership in driving agricultural growth in the state.
He highlighted Niger State’s strong agricultural potential, which was a key factor in choosing the state for this partnership.
Ibrahim also announced that NADF has secured a multimillion-dollar agreement with a French investment agency focused on technology transfer, with an initial commitment of ₦100 million for feasibility studies in Niger State.
The collaboration between the Niger State Government and NADF aims to bolster the state’s agricultural capacity, drive economic development, and empower thousands of farmers, further positioning Niger State as a critical player in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.