Niger State Farmers Return to Fields, Governor Bago Offers to Lead 500,000-Hectare Agricultural Initiative

The Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, has stated that farmers in the state are eager to return to their fields, with many already engaged in farming activities. Governor Bago made this known after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, where he expressed his readiness to lead the planned 500,000-hectare agricultural production initiative announced by President Tinubu in his New Year message.

According to Governor Bago, Niger State is taking the lead in the president’s food security initiative, having already commenced the implementation of 250,000 hectares of dry season farming. He highlighted that the state has signed agreements with several companies for the off-take of agricultural produce, demonstrating a proactive approach to agricultural development.

In response to President Tinubu’s emphasis on agriculture in his New Year speech, Governor Bago affirmed that Niger State has offered itself as a pilot state for the 500,000-hectare agricultural project. He expressed the state’s ambition to match the federal government’s commitment with an equal allocation of 500,000 hectares for agricultural development.

Governor Bago reported that President Tinubu responded positively to the state’s initiatives, expressing satisfaction with Niger State’s agricultural progress. The governor emphasized the state’s determination to align with the federal government’s vision for agricultural transformation and assured that Niger State would continue its efforts to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Daily Nigerian