Niger State Government Announces Strategic Partnership with NGOs to Boost Agriculture.
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced that the State Government will partner with organizations and groups involved in agriculture to achieve its agricultural revolution targets.
Governor Bago made this announcement during a meeting with a delegation from the “Nourishing Nigeria Project” team at his office in Government House, Minna.
He emphasized that collaboration with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector is essential for achieving positive results, as agriculture remains the backbone of the economy.
He explained that such partnerships can tap into the expertise, resources, and innovative approaches of NGOs to enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable practices.
The Governor commended the team for selecting Niger State as one of the pioneering states for the project, noting that the initiative aligns with the State Government’s agenda for developing children’s education, particularly through the establishment of school farms across the State.
Governor Bago expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for supporting the return of domestic resources for agricultural development.
He assured the team that his government is committed to utilizing all available natural and human resources to support the development of women and children in the State. He pledged that for every demonstration farm the project intends to implement, the State Government will match it with ten additional farms.
Nuhu Adamu Kilishi, the National Project Coordinator for the Nourishing Nigeria Project and Director of the Nutrition and Food Safety Department at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, commended the Governor for his efforts toward food security.
He informed him that the Federal Government recognizes these efforts, which is why Niger State was chosen as one of the four pilot states for implementing the Nourishing Nigeria Project.
Kilishi explained that the project aims to involve children and women in schools and households across various communities, encouraging them to engage in the cultivation of nutrient-rich crops, fish farming, and poultry production.
He also mentioned that workshops have been conducted with relevant stakeholders to discuss the project’s implementation, which is expected to unfold over 18 months in selected schools.
Additionally, the Project Coordinator shared details about another initiative titled “Accelerated Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) 2.0,” a World Bank-assisted project set to be implemented in 21 states, including Niger State, with a focus on crop and animal production, livestock, and fisheries.
