Niger State government has showcased the agricultural potential of the state at the Africa Food System Forum, 2024 Summit held at Kigali, Rwanda.
The state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by the Head of Service, Abubakar Salisu, said the state has arable land and water bodies for agricultural development.
He said the state is blessed with potential in food crops, fisheries, livestock, and tree crops, among other things.
Bago recalled that agricultural activities are mostly rainfed characterised by low production due to small and scattered farms as well as use of poor technology thereby making farmers poor and highly vulnerable to climate change.
He said in addressing the challenges the state government has launched the New Niger Agenda aimed at playing a leading role in agriculture and contribute to Nigeria’s overall food security.
He said the state government is investing in agricultural mechanisation to achieve its set goal by procuring agricultural machineries and equipment such as tractors, combined harvesters, hand tillers and herbicides among others.
The governor posited that the state government is ready to promote digital solutions, technology and innovations in agriculture as the initiatives are guided by three principles, environmental friendly, inclusivity and adaptability.
Bago emphasised that the state is more concerned about the health of the future generations.
The delegation led by Niger State Head of Service also had the commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Musa Salihu Bawa Boss and the permanent secretary, Dr Mathew Ahmed as well as the representatives of Niger Foods Security and Logistics.
