Niger State governor and farmer, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced that the state government has allocated 20,000 hectares of land to boost sugar production.
Governor Umaru Bago made this known while receiving the Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr. John Coumantaros, alongside foreign investors from Brazil, the United States, and South Africa, who were in Minna to assess agricultural activities and explore areas of collaboration with the state government.
The visiting investors were taken to the Tagwai Dam and Tagwai feed lots, where Governor Bago shared his administration’s plans to expand sugar and crop production to meet national food security targets. He explained that the partnership with the investors would significantly transform agriculture in Nigeria, emphasizing that the state’s focus is on understanding and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
Farmer Bago also revealed plans to scale up seed production in the state, acknowledging that one of Nigeria’s biggest agricultural challenges is the lack of quality seeds for farmers. He stated, “We are working to improve seed availability because most farmers in Nigeria do not have access to the right seeds for high productivity.”
The governor expressed confidence in the collaboration, especially with the Brazilian investors, noting that the partnership aims to develop large areas of animal pasture for livestock feed and to improve livestock genetics for better milk production. He added that the government plans to upgrade abattoirs from packaging blood meat to producing frozen meat that meets international standards.
Governor Bago reiterated his administration’s commitment to working with development partners, stressing that Niger State will utilize its natural resources, including water bodies and earth dams, to ensure water supply for year-round agricultural production.
Flour Mills Chairman, John Coumantaros, praised the governor, describing him as “a tremendous and visionary leader who has transformed the agricultural industry across Nigeria.” He said the partnership with Niger State would empower farmers, reshape the agricultural ecosystem, and support sugar and seed production across the region.
Other development partners also expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the state government, assuring their support in driving the farmer governor’s agricultural revolution and vision for sustainable food production.