Bago signs agreement with Chinese firms to revolutionise agriculture in Niger

In his determination to revolutionise agricultural value chain in Niger State, Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago, has signed a $684 million contract agreement with China Overseas Engineering Group Company Limited (COVEC) and China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC).

Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, who disclosed this on his Facebook page, stated that the agreement is also to develop 50,000 hectares of land for a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in the state,
hence the governor sent a delegation, led by the Secretary to the State Government, after completing all the processes to finalise the deal in China, during the President’s recent official visit to the country for the Forum of China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

According to Ebbo, this long-term investment will revolutionise the agricultural sector, guarantee food security, create thousands of jobs, and stimulate economic opportunities and growth, focused on promoting commodities and essential crops in Niger State with high potential to boost export revenues.

The statement further explained that the Niger State SAPZ programmes will promote increased productivity, job creation, value addition, efficient storage practices, market access, and increased private sector investment in select agricultural value chain commodities.

Usman Ebbo revealed that the multi-million-dollar Niger State SAPZ program will be designed to enhance complementarity with existing or completed agricultural projects already commenced by the current administration of Governor Bago, including those in the roads, power, transport, water, and agriculture sectors.

The Special Adviser emphasised that Niger State is among the first few states to sign up for this agricultural initiative provided by the African Development Bank to positively catalyse agricultural development in Africa into an internationally competitive sector and an important contributor to sustainable development.

He noted that they are also working with both governments and the private sector to turn the rural landscape into economic zones of prosperity by harnessing the power of commercial agriculture and food production.