Niger state government has inaugurated the sales and distribution of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs for the 2024 farming season.
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, at the event in Minna, on Tuesday, commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the release of the fertiliser and pledged to use the state’s vast land to feed the nation.
“Our administration has prioritised agriculture, we invested in machinery and technology to boost productivity,” he said.
The governor said that the government has made significant progress in delivering tractors, harvesters and other equipment to support small scale farmers, in line with the New Niger Agenda.
He said his government was committed to achieving sustainable food security, reducing food costs and addressing unemployment.
Bago disclosed that the administration was subsidising fertiliser prices by 50 per cent to farmers, adding that the state was tackling insecurity to ensure uninterrupted farming.
He assured farmers of his commitment in prioritising agriculture, which he described as the key to achieving food security, reducing high food costs, and addressing unemployment among youths.
Earlier, Alhaji Bawa Bosso, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, said the ministry was cultivating 10,000 hectares of land in each of the 25 local government areas of the state.
He said the ministry has identified over 16,000 hectares of land in Katcha, Wushishi, Agaie and Lapai Local Government Areas for the cultivation of rice, maize, soybean and sesame for civil servants.
Bosso also disclosed that the Niger Agricultural and Mechanization Development Authority (NAMDA), was collaborating with the Niger Foods to address the needs of 20,000 smallholders farmer and 10,000 medium holders farmers.
He noted that the intervention would also assist farmers with 1,000 power tillers and agro-inputs.(NAN).
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