Niger Foods Partners with NALDA and Ministry of Youth Development to Launch National Youth Agricultural Scheme
In a significant move to boost youth engagement in agriculture, Niger Foods on Wednesday formalized a tripartite agreement with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the Ministry of Youth Development. The agreement aims to enlist 100,000 young Nigerians in a national agricultural initiative, with Niger State serving as the pilot location.
The signing ceremony took place at the Government House in Minna, with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago presiding over the event.
Under the terms of the agreement, Niger Foods will oversee crop production, while NALDA will be responsible for land development. The Ministry of Youth Development will act as the facilitator, providing financial support, social services, and other essential resources to ensure the success of the initiative.
Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, highlighted that the partnership is expected to generate approximately 500,000 metric tonnes of food. He further noted that each participating youth would earn an initial income of ₦150,000 in the first year, with the potential for their earnings to grow into millions over the next four to five years.
Speaking on the collaboration, NALDA’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, praised Niger State for its leadership in agricultural development. He emphasized that the state provides an ideal environment to launch such an initiative, which aligns with broader national objectives for youth empowerment through agriculture.
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Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, reiterated that the agreement is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fostering self-reliance among Nigerian youth. He lauded Governor Bago for his forward-thinking approach in integrating technology and agriculture to drive economic progress.
In his remarks, Governor Bago expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, describing it as a groundbreaking achievement. He reaffirmed Niger State’s commitment to modernizing agriculture through mechanized farming, livestock development, and improved irrigation systems.
The governor also revealed ongoing discussions with the Saudi Arabian government, which will see Niger State supplying 500 rams for Eid-el-Kabir at a value of ₦500,000 each. He projected that in the next two years, the state’s livestock sector could generate trillions of naira in revenue.
Governor Bago expressed confidence that the agreement would yield significant benefits, emphasizing the potential of Nigerian youth to thrive when given the necessary support from both the government and private stakeholders.
