Baatunji Wusu –
- The Niger State Government plans to introduce incentives aimed at reducing food prices during the Ramadan season.
- Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago announced that the state has harvested over one million metric tons of maize and has stabilized food prices through Niger Foods.
- The governor emphasized continued collaboration with the Gates Foundation on agricultural development, focusing on crops, livestock, aquaculture, and housing.
- The state aims to increase its cropping seasons from one to three annually and seeks joint ventures in irrigation to combat climate change.
- The Gates Foundation reiterated its commitment to addressing challenges in agriculture, particularly underfunding and climate change.
The Niger State Government has announced plans to implement incentives to reduce the prices of food items during the upcoming Ramadan season, ensuring both availability and affordability for citizens. Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago made this declaration on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Gates Foundation at the Government House in Minna.
Highlighting the state’s progress, the governor revealed that Niger State had harvested over one million metric tons of maize, and through Niger Foods, it had successfully stabilized the prices of essential foodstuffs. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to alleviate the financial burden on residents during the Ramadan period.
Umaru-Bago also reassured the Gates Foundation of his administration’s ongoing commitment to deepening its partnership with the organization, especially in key areas like crops, livestock production, aquaculture, and housing. He further outlined plans to expand Niger State’s agricultural output by moving from one cropping season to three per year, with irrigation collaborations aimed at boosting crop production and mitigating climate change impacts.
Obai Khalifa, the Gates Foundation’s leader of agricultural development work, underscored the critical role of agriculture in ensuring both security and nutritional stability. He acknowledged the significant challenges of underfunding and climate change affecting African agriculture and expressed the Foundation’s intent to be part of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation efforts.
Audu Grema, Senior Programme Officer for Agricultural Development in Africa, commended the governor for his focus on agricultural investment, while Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, emphasized the importance of the partnership with the Gates Foundation in driving the state’s agricultural transformation.
