Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has inaugurated a shea butter processing plant with a production capacity of 30,000 metric tons annually, just as Niger Food company has signed a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding.
The governor at the inauguration of the plant established by Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited, supported by NEXIM Bank in Kudu, Mokwa local government area of the state, disclosed that the state government, through Niger Foods, would plant 10 million shea trees to boost production.
He said the idea was to create employment for youths and women and improve socio-economic activities in the state and strengthen its status as the headquarters of shea trees.
He said 10,000 hectares of land would be prepared for the purpose so that shea nuts would be readily available for investors in the industry.
The governor praised Salid Agriculture for establishing the plant, noting that it would complement government’s efforts in job creation and improve the economic status of the people of Kudu community.
He urged the people to support the plant to achieve its desired objective and take advantage of the plant to better their economic lives.
Chief executive officer of Salid Agriculture Nigeria Ltd, Ali Saidu said the decision to establish the plant was to increase capacity utilisation and enhance the quality of shea butter production to the extent that the state could compete favourably at the global market.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello, explained that Nigeria produces 60% of shea nuts globally, but lack of industrial plants had been a major setback for processing, which had hitherto been done by women.
He said NEXIM Bank would continue to collaborate with the Salid plant and the Niger State government to achieve the whole value chain of shea nuts.
Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi Abdullahi, described the establishment of the shea nut processing plant as a huge agricultural investment and applauded the approach of the governor in transforming agriculture in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
At the event, a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Niger Foods and Salid Shea Nut Processing Factory in Kudu to create direct employment for women and youth who would pick shea nuts and bring them to the Salid factory for direct purchase.
