News in Brief:
– Niger State Governor Bago announced initiatives to lower food prices before Ramadan, citing a successful maize harvest and ongoing collaboration with the Gates Foundation to boost agricultural production.
– The state aims to increase cropping seasons and improve irrigation to ensure food security and affordability.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced plans to lower food prices in anticipation of the upcoming Ramadan season during a meeting with a delegation from the Gates Foundation at the Government House in Minna.
The Ramadan season is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, February 28th, or Saturday, March 1st, 2025. It will conclude on the evening of Sunday, March 30th, 2025. However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon
Efforts to stabilise food costs
The governor stated that the initiative is designed to make food items more accessible and affordable for residents of Niger State during the holy month. He highlighted the state’s recent successful maize harvest, yielding over one million metric tons. Also, he added that the state, through Niger Foods, has played a role in stabilising food prices nationwide.
Collaboration with Gates Foundation
Meantime, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Gates Foundation and encouraged them to expand their partnership with Niger State.
Governor Bago mentioned areas of focus including crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and housing. He reiterated his administration’s goal of transitioning the state’s agricultural practices from one to three cropping seasons annually.
Furthermore, the governor stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in irrigation. He cited it as a key opportunity to boost crop production and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Gates Foundation’s commitment to agricultural development
Obai Khalifa, head of agricultural development at the Gates Foundation, stated that the organisation has been dedicated to improving lives through agriculture for the past 25 years. He stressed the importance of agriculture not only for food security but also for its nutritional value.
Additionally, Khalifa acknowledged the significant challenges facing African agriculture. These include underfunding and climate change. He confirmed the foundation’s commitment to addressing these issues and supporting agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
Audu Grema, Senior Program Officer for Agricultural Development at the Gates Foundation in Africa, commended Governor Bago for his administration’s investments in the agricultural sector, noting its potential to reduce poverty.
Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, noted the importance of the partnership with the Gates Foundation for the agricultural transformation efforts being led by the governor.
