Niger State Partners with International Investors to Boost Dairy and Sugar Production
The government of Niger State has embarked on a significant agricultural transformation initiative by partnering with both local and international investors to boost dairy and sugar production. This move was announced through statements by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, Bologi Ibrahim, highlighting the state's commitment to leveraging collaborations for enhancing its livestock and dairy industry.
As part of the plan, Governor Umaru Bago emphasized the importance of vaccinating all cattle against diseases that could hinder effective dairy production. He also noted that the state has allocated 20,000 hectares of land to increase sugar production, aligning with the goal of strengthening national food security and sovereignty.
Governor Bago hosted a delegation that included the Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, John Coumantaros, and investors from Brazil, the United States, and South Africa, who were in Minna to explore investment opportunities. The governor expressed that these collaborations are aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape in Nigeria, focusing on enhancing agricultural value chains.
In addition to dairy and sugar production, the state plans to improve seed production to address one of the major challenges faced by Nigerian farmers—access to the right seeds. The collaboration with Brazilian investors is expected to develop animal pasture for quality milk production and transition local abattoirs from packaging blood meat to frozen meat.
The Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria praised Governor Bago's leadership and foresight, stating that the collaboration would transform farmers' livelihoods through various agricultural programs and reshape the state's ecosystem in sugar and seed production. Other development partners also expressed their enthusiasm for working with Niger State in what they termed as the 'farmer governor's' agricultural revolution.
