Niger Gets N5b To Produce Rice, Yam & Beans For Lagos Market

 Niger state Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has been presented five billion naira cheque by Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The cheque was presented to him at the launch of N500 billion “produce for Lagos” initiative held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The N5 billion naira cheque is for the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans under a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity.

The “produce for Lagos” agricultural initiative also aligns with the renewed hope agricultural agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance agricultural output through inter-state collaboration in food production.

The Niger state Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, was also applauded by various speakers at the event witnessed by many eminent personalities for his unwavering commitment to the transformation of agriculture through mechanisation which they said would transition the country from poverty to prosperity.

Farmer governor Umaru Bago in a fireside chat, highlighted the potential of the state, especially in the area of agriculture.

The objectives of the partnership that will see to the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans are; to establish a coordinated, data-driven agricultural produce inflow into Lagos State; promote the establishment and operation of farm estates and aggregation infrastructure in Niger State; facilitate a private-sector-led logistics and aggregation ecosystem that reduces post-harvest losses and food costs, enhance food security, economic development, and inter-state agricultural trade among others.

Lagos State is expected to provide guaranteed offtake agreements via its licensed bulk aggregators, facilitate the issuance of working capital loans to the Niger Aggregation Company for offtake operations, enable access to the Lagos Food Logistics Hub and other food markets managed by LAFSINCO for bulk deliveries, support investment promotion and matchmaking between private investors and Niger-based producers, ensure consistent standards and market requirements are communicated to producers.

Niger State on the other hand, is to allocate land for the development of farm estates targeting key commodities demanded in Lagos, facilitate the registration and setup of Niger Aggregation Company in alignment with programme standards, provide supporting infrastructure like access roads and utilities to farm and aggregation locations, and develop regulations to facilitate seamless inter-state food logistics and private sector operations.

Both parties are to define and designate aggregation zones and logistics corridors within Niger State, collaborate on creating harmonised quality standards and certification protocols and monitor programme performance, resolve implementation challenges, and ensure compliance.