Niger to upscale sugar production with 20,000 hectares
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said 20,000 hectares have been allocated to expand sugar production. He met with Flour Mills of Nigeria and investors from Brazil, the U.S., and South Africa to explore agricultural collaboration. The state also plans to boost seed development, livestock pasture, and modern meat processing.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, said his administration had earmarked 20,000 hectares of land to upscale production of sugar.
Bago disclosed this when he received the Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, alongside other foreign investors from Brazil, the United States and South Africa, who were in the state for an overview of agricultural activities, and to collaborate with the government.
The team of investors was taken to Tagwai Dam and the Tagwai feed lots, where the governor hinted that his administration plans to expand sugar and crop production to meet the target of feeding the nation.
He emphasised that collaboration would transform the entire landscape of agriculture in Nigeria, as the state is committed to understanding the value chain in agriculture.
Bago also disclosed plans to increase seed production, acknowledging that one of the major challenges in Nigeria is that farmers often lack access to suitable seeds for production.
He also expressed optimism that the collaboration, especially with the Brazilians, would enable the development of extensive animal pasture, which would be used to feed livestock and improve their genetics for quality milk production. Additionally, abattoirs would transition from packaging blood meat to frozen meat.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborating with development partners, stating that the state is willing to utilise its vast natural resources to provide water for year-round production.
Earlier, Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, John Coumantaros, had described the governor as a tremendous and visionary leader who has transitioned the agro industry in the whole of Nigeria.
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Source : The Guardian
