Niger State Government is to establish Niger State Agricultural Development Fund to provide incentives to encourage youth in agro-business.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago who disclosed this during the day-two technical session of the First Niger Green Economy Summit revealed that N1 billion will be provided by the State government to kick start the Development Fund.

He said the first 1000 youths that will key into the programme will benefit a million each as a grant, adding that all the 25 Council Chairmen will support the Development Fund with N100 million each and that the N3.5 billion to be realized will be used to purchase seedlings for the youths to go back to farming.

The Governor further revealed that Agricultural extension Colleges will equally be established in all 25 Local Government Areas of the State with about four hectares of land to be cleared for Nurseries.

While acknowledging the importance of geo-mapping, Governor Umaru Bago sought collaboration with relevant Organisations like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in addressing climate change and other environmental hazards.

The Group Managing Director, NNPC Mele Kyari represented at the event by the Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy Olalekan Ogunleye, as well as the Chief Whip, House of Representatives Usman Bello Kumo in their separate remarks, pledged support to Niger State Government in its quest to have a green economy with NNPC set to collaboratively give indirect jobs to 500,000 Nigerlites.

Highlights of the session were the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Niger State Government and the “One hectare, One Family” Foundation on the provision of one million Banana seedlings to the State, presentations, panel discussions, questions and answers.

Bologi Ibrahim

Chief Press Secretary

to the Governor of Niger State

25/10/2023.