Niger Govt, IFAD collaborate to develop cassava, rice, value chain

The Niger Government on Thursday said it was collaborating with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) to develop cassava and rice value chain in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Prof. Mohammed Yahaya, made this known when he briefed newsmen in Minna.

Yahaya, who was represented by Alhaji Muhammadu Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the measure would improve the living standard of rural populace in the state.

“The IFAD will provide us with N328 million annually for six years, while the state government will provide N79.4 million counterpart fund per annum for six years,’’ he said.

Yahaya said that the Federal Government, through the state ministry had decided to develop major crops value chain in the country.

He said that this was to increase food production and provide market for them.

The commissioner said that three local government areas of Katcha, Bida and Wushishi would be use for the pilot scheme to develop the value chain.

He said that the management team for the programme in the state had been inaugurated.

(NAN)