Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, said the state would continue to leverage the vast comparative advantages in the production of rice and other high valued cash crops, saying it would further encourage both local and foreign investors.
Speaking at the 2019 and 12th edition of the annual National Agricultural Show in Tudunwada, Nasarawa State, the governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry Agriculture, Ibrahim Garba Musa, listed other features where the state had comparative advantage to include “expansive arable land, conducive environment, large water bodies, expansive forest resources and favourable government policies.”
To further consolidate on the state’s efforts at boosting the agric sector, he said government is in collaboration with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to develop the state agric policy and investment plan.
He said the state has keyed into the federal government National Livestock Transformation Plan, with the hope that it would help revolutionise the sector.
“Niger State has already set the pace in this regard through the encouragement of ranching as a means of encouraging the adoption of global best practices in livestock animal husbandry.”
Following the directive of the governor, Musa said his ministry has taken measures to fully develop the valued crops where the state has comparative advantage.
He said the state Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries “has identified these crops and regarded such crops as projects with each being assigned a project officer.”
The national coordinator, Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFAN), organisers of the National Agricultural Show, Dr Samuel Negedu, described Niger State as a worthy partner, praising the state for its “tenacity and sheer determination to lead in agricultural development in the country.”
The Niger State chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alh Shehu Galadima, noted that the state remains active in the development of agricultural value chains.
