Niger State, AGRA invest in agricultural development

Niger government in North Central Nigeria is partnering with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and other development partners to invest in the agricultural development of the State.

The Secretary to the State government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, who mentioned this during the launch of the State Agriculture policy Document in Minna the state capital, noted that this would serve as a guide for the agricultural sector of the economy.

He said that the state government in conjunction with the development partners will source for a sum of N203.6 billion to be invested in the agriculture sector in the next four years.

Matane who said that the documents were formulated through stakeholder participation, added that the agriculture policy provides a framework that enunciates the guidelines, objectives, structures and standards to achieve the desired agriculture development in the state.

“The key areas targeted by the  NSAIP include,  crops, livestock and fisheries value chains while other products were rice, maize, cassava, sorghum and soybeans, cashews, oil palm, ginger and shea, sesame and cotton,” stated Matane.

The Secretary to the Niger State government, further said that the documents which were worked out to direct the state on the pedestal of accelerated agriculture growth and development,  can also be accessed on the website www.nigeragric.org. for the public to study.

The Niger State Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro , who applauded the implementation of the policy by the state government, noted that Niger State was the first to formulate have a partnership with NSAIP among the 36 states of Nigeria, including Abuja the Capital City.

Nnenna.O