The Niger State Government says it will provide incentives that will crash prices of food items during the Ramadan season.
The Governor, Niger state, Mohammed Umaru-Bago disclosed this on Wednesday when he received a delegation from the Gates Foundation on a courtesy visit to the Government House. Minna.
The governor said the move is to ensure that foodstuffs are made available and affordable to the people.
He disclosed that the state had harvested more than one million metric tons of maize, adding that through Niger Foods, the state government had stabilised the price of food items.
Umaru-Bago reassured the Gates Foundation of his administration’s continued partnership.
He called on the Foundation to strengthen its relationship with the state on crops, livestock production, aquaculture, and housing.
The governor, who disclosed that the state planned to move from one cropping season to three cropping seasons annually, said the partnership with the foundation would change the fortunes of the people.
He also emphasised the need to have a collaborative venture in irrigation to boost crop production and address climate change.
The leader of agricultural development work in the Gates Foundation, Obai Khalifa, said since the inception of the foundation 25 years ago, it has been committed to the mission of adding value to lives.
He described agriculture as vital, not just from the security point of view, but also from the nutritional value.
Khalifa identified the challenges of underfunding and climate change as major factors affecting agriculture in Africa.
He pointed out that the Foundation was out to address those challenges and be part of Nigeria’s drive in agriculture transformation.
Also speaking, the Senior Programme Officer, Agric Development, Gates Foundation in Africa, Mr Audu Grema, applauded the governor for his investment in the agricultural sector.
Chairman, Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, in his remarks, described the partnership with Gates Foundation as a key factor in the agricultural transformation of the state.
(NAN)
