NADF, Niger Gov’t Sign N5bn Deal To Finance Agric Initiative

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the Niger State Government have signed a landmark co-financing agreement worth N5 billion. Under the partnership, both parties will contribute N2.5 billion each to fund a large-scale mixed cropping project aimed at producing rice and maize on 4,000 hectares of land.

The project is set to benefit at least 4,000 smallholder farmers across three local government areas in Niger State. As part of the agreement, NADF will provide technical advisory services, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the initiative, while Niger Foods Company will oversee off-take and market access.

The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, was attended by NADF’s Executive Secretary, Muhammed Abu Ibrahim, Niger State Governor Umar Mohammed Bago, the Managing Director of Niger Foods Company, and other key stakeholders.

In his remarks, Ibrahim expressed excitement about the historical significance of the partnership, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with the goal of boosting agricultural production, improving food security, and creating jobs for thousands of people. “This agreement is expected to produce over 20,000 tons of food and impact at least 40,000 lives while generating employment and wealth for smallholder farmers,” he said.

Governor Bago highlighted that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Food Security Initiative and will leverage Niger State’s abundant natural resources to achieve food sovereignty. He further stated that the initiative would not only enhance food production but also contribute to improving the livelihoods of Niger residents, marking a significant step toward ensuring a prosperous future for the state and the country.