By Rashidat AbdulRahman
The Executive Director of Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, Mr. Ola Oloyede, has expressed sincere gratitude for AGRA’s support in advancing agriculture in Niger State, during a visit to Niger Foods’ office in Minna. He highlighted how AGRA’s initiatives have helped farmers adopt modern technologies that reduce post-harvest losses, improving food security and boosting productivity.
Mr. Oloyede emphasized that such partnerships are vital for transforming the agricultural sector by enhancing food handling, storage, and distribution processes, benefiting both producers and consumers. He praised AGRA’s dedication to fostering innovation and sustainable farming practices.
Niger Foods Agra Project Manager Ruqayyah Salihu Ibrahim, detailed how the company is implementing seven policies and sixteen programs designed to secure and strengthen the food system in Niger State. These initiatives cover the entire food supply chain, ensuring greater food security and sustainability.
She explained that these frameworks enable Niger Foods to support local farmers, improve food quality, and promote sustainable agriculture, contributing to a resilient food system.
Ruqayyah also highlighted capacity building program for the rice bran usage funded by Agra, which empower participants with knowledge and skills in use of rice bran for feed formulation
These training and technical support efforts help farmers add value, and expand economic opportunities, ensuring long term food security through sustainable practices.
Earlier,AGRA’s Country Director in Nigeria, Dr. Rufus Idris, expressed enthusiasm for Niger Foods’ transformative impact on agriculture in Niger State and Nigeria’s food system. He noted that the private sector led approach focuses on sustainable interventions and business development within the food sector.
Dr. Idris stressed the benefits for smallholder farmers, including transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming through mechanization, access to finance for inputs, capacity building, and improved market linkages. He also pointed out the availability of quality seeds and fertilizers, encouraging farmers to embrace these innovations and expressing hope of developing more catalytic initiatives with Niger Foods
Also,Niger State Coordinating programme officer From AGRA Godswill Aguiyi disclosed that partnership with Niger foods on rice system project aimed at increasing rice competitiveness and improving smallholders farmers productivity and incomes,stating how Niger Foods focusing on market related support including training farmers to minimize post harvest losses and upgrading storage facilities.
He urged farmers to shift from viewing agriculture solely as a livelihood to adoption a business mindset by applying cost profit analysis and business models.
Places visited during include the warehouse renovated by AGRA in Minna.