Niger Govt launches N203bn agric policy document for 4 yrs

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Niger government in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and other development partners are to source for the sum of N203.6 billion to be invested in the agriculture sector in the next four years.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, made the disclosure during a press briefing at his office in Minna, while launching the State Agriculture Policy Document that will serve as a guide for the agric sector.
He disclosed that the documents were formulated through stakeholders participation, adding that the agriculture policy provides a framework that enunciated the guidelines, objectives, structures and standards to achieve the desired agriculture development in the state.
Matane said that AGRA was providing funding support to state through the state ministry of agriculture aimed at addressing challenges of food insecurity and limited access to structured markets faced by smallholder rice farmers in the state.