‘For food security’ — Niger state ‘secures’ over 1m hectares of land for farming

Umaru Bago, governor of Niger, says the state will significantly improve rice and cotton production.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence, Bago said the state has secured over one million hectares of farmland for the cultivation of crops. 

“Yes, definitely food security is a priority in this government and we have just told the president that we are very much ready in 2024, from January 1, to hit the ground running,” he said.

“We have secured over a million hectares of land. I will start preparing this land and I’m sure before the next rainy season, I will have over 250,000 hectares prepared and I will also inform him (Tinubu) about the irrigation investment we have put in place.”

The governor said his administration will significantly improve the cultivation of rice, cotton and maize to ensure the state is setting the pace in the country.

“In Niger state, we are very ready to do as a leading state in rice paddy, improve the rice production and cotton production. We’re also very, very ready for that,” he said.

“We’re also very prepared to do a lot of maize, you know because the demand for maize by especially poultry farmers is high, and so many other initiatives that we brought forward.

“You know, Niger state is also a leading state in the production of sesame, which you know very well, and we have told Mr. President exactly what we’re about to do.”

Speaking on the violent attacks in Plateau state, Bago said the situation is “very unfortunate”, while hoping that there is no recurrence. 

He said governors from the north-central states will visit the Plateau on Tuesday to “pay a condolence visit and to commiserate with the people of Plateau state on this issue”.