The Niger Government has earmarked N3.5 billion to establish the state Agricultural Development Fund.
The fund, which targets about 1,000 persons as the first set of beneficiaries, would provide N1 million grant to each youth as an incentive to engage in agro-business.
In a statement issued recently in Minna, Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago, revealed the state government would provide a counterpart funding of N1 billion to kickstart the project.
Bago added that all the state’s 25 local government chairmen would support the fund with N100 million each.
“The N3.5 billion to be realised will be used to purchase seedlings for the youth to go back to farming,” the statement read.
It revealed that Agricultural Extension Colleges would also be established in all the 25 Local Governments, with about four hectares of land to be cleared for nurseries.
While Bago acknowledged the importance of geo-mapping, he sought collaboration with relevant organisations, such as the NNPC, in addressing climate change and other environmental hazards.
In his remarks, the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, represented at the event by the Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, pledged support to the state government in its quest to have a Green Economy.
“NNPC is set to give indirect jobs to 500,000 Nigerlites collaboratively,” Ogunleye said.
Also, the House of Representatives Chief Whip, Usman Kumo, pledged to support the state’s Green Economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the state government and the “One Hectare, One Family Foundation”.
The MoU was on the provision of one million Banana seedlings to the state.
The event also featured presentations, panel discussions, and questions and answers.
(NAN)
