By Eze Nkechi
NEWSPEG reports that the Niger State Government says it has signed a ten-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bayer AG to boost food production in the state.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Bologi Ibrahim said that the agreement which targets two million farmers was signed at the sideline of the World Bank /IMF Spring meetings in Washington DC, USA.
The partnership is under the shared vision of ‘Feeding the Nation’ for the State Government and ‘Health for All, Hunger for None,’ for the multinational company.
The statement said that the multinational company is expected to provide innovations in Agriculture to improve food production in line with the “feed the nation policy of the present administration in the state.
“Niger State Government through the Niger Foods Limited on the other hand, would spearhead an efficient and profitable agribusiness with focus on the maize, soya beans, tomatoes and onions among others, using about 500,000 hectares of land.
“The collaboration, which will be carried out in phases, would be guided by a progressive and sustainable strategy of 1/10/100.
“The deal will also boost global market access for the State to significant economic growth which will not only be beneficial to Niger State, but Nigeria in general,” the statement said.
This online platform reports that Bayer AG is a German multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm which works in the areas of pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products, agricultural chemicals, seeds and biotechnology products.
According to the form and the Niger State government, the partnership will be of immense benefit to Niger State and Nigeria, especially in supporting environmental resilience and productivity to ensure food safety and promote economic growth.
