Niger made N600b from agric, others in 2024

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that Niger State realised N600 billion from agriculture and other related businesses through the public and private sectors in 2024.

The farmer governor disclosed this on Wednesday when he received members of the Developing-8 (D-8) group, an intergovernmental organisation, at the Government House in Minna.

According to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Bologi Ibrahim, the D-8 group came to present a partnership proposal to Niger State.

Ibrahim quoted Bago as saying that the only way to sustain food security, provide employment to the youth, and reduce insecurity and other social vices is to key into new techniques in crop production, irrigation farming, animal husbandry, and livestock management.

Bago, who also spoke about the enormous advantage of the state’s land mass with great potential for agriculture and livestock, said mechanised farming should be embraced by all in order to achieve the target of feeding the nation.

He also disclosed to members of the group that the state government, in collaboration with schools through the introduction of school farms, has enabled the inclusion of crop production into school syllabuses to enhance students’ skill development for the future.

“Through collaboration with the D-8 group, Niger State can benefit a lot, especially in terms of renewable energy, which he described as essential for any agricultural development,” Bago said.

Ibrahim added that the governor said a committee will be set up to establish a timeline to scale up the agreement between both parties, where the state will identify what it wants from the group and in what capacity the group can come in.