By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger State government has signed a ₦1.8 trillion guaranteed paddy rice production and offtake agreement with Dangote Rice Limited targeting 50,000 jobs creation
The deal was sealed in Lagos
through Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Ltd and Dangote Rice Limited witnessed by Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state and the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim stated this in a statement issued in Minna.
He said, ” According to the agreement, Niger Foods will supply high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice Limited to foster sustainable agricultural development and food sufficiency in Nigeria”.
According to the statement, “Niger State is required to develop 25,000 hectares of commercial rice farms and also support 50,000 local farmers, adding that, the partnership is for 10 years and will create 50,000 direct jobs”.
He said that the agreement will enable the state to utilise water from the rivers Niger and Kaduna as well as other water sources to boost rice production in the state.
“The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, explained that the signing of the agreement was the outcome of series of discussions aimed at promoting food production and ensuring food sufficiency in Nigeria”, he said.
Also speaking at the event, the
Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed delight and reassured that the state is poised to feed Nigeria.
He said, ” my administration understands the comparative advantage of water and arable land that the state has over its counterparts and will leverage on that to promote agriculture and its entire value chain as well as create employment opportunities”.
