Monday, 2nd December 2024
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Niger gears up for agric powerhouse status as firm invests $25m in shea butter, soya, rice production

Niger State is poised to become a major agricultural powerhouse in Nigeria, thanks to a $25 million expansion strategy unveiled by the PJS Group for 2024. This ambitious plan builds upon the group's existing investments in the state, which have already significantly boosted the local economy and created numerous jobs. Governor Umaru Bago's Food Security…

Niger State is poised to become a major agricultural powerhouse in Nigeria, thanks to a $25 million expansion strategy unveiled by the PJS Group for 2024. This ambitious plan builds upon the group’s existing investments in the state, which have already significantly boosted the local economy and created numerous jobs.

Governor Umaru Bago’s Food Security Program is driving this transformation through strategic partnerships with companies like PJS Group.

The group’s commitment to Niger State is evident in its existing projects, such as the PJS Agro Farms, a large-scale rice farm in Swashi village, Borgu LGA, covering 3,000 hectares with a $15 million investment’

The Bago administration also has a partnership with Kiara Rice Mills Limited, who have built Africa’s largest rice mill in Kpatsuwa village, Mokwa LGA, with a $30 million investment, producing 350,000 metric tons of rice annually.

The recent MOU signed between the Niger State Government and Kiara Rice Mills Limited at COP28 in Dubai further strengthens their collaboration to develop a robust agricultural value chain. This partnership focuses on transforming rice production from subsistence to commercial, aligning with Governor Bago’s vision for the state.

The agreement includes technical assistance, access to funding, and co-investment opportunities, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development and job creation.

There is also an upcoming deal with Pack-it Packaging Limited, with a $5 million investment, that will see the firm produce 30 million agro sacks annually, supporting the agricultural sector in Niger State.

PJS Group’s expansion plans for 2024 are equally impressive, with a $25 million investment in new ventures like soya and rice bran oil production, which will expand the group’s product portfolio and create new market opportunities, and a shea butter extraction factory that is expected to add value to a locally abundant resource and support sustainable livelihoods.

These initiatives will not only diversify PJS Group’s operations but also contribute significantly to Niger State’s economic growth and development through job creation, technology transfer, and sustainability; factors that demonstrate PJS Group’s long-term commitment to the state’s agricultural success.

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