NIGERIA PARTNERS AGENCY TO BOOST RICE PRODUCTION

The Niger government says that
it is collaborating with Japan
International Development
Corporation Agency (JICA) and
the U.S. Agency for International
Development to increase rice
production in the state.
Baba Madugu, managing director
of the Agricultural and
Mechanisation Development
Authority made the disclosure in
Minna on Wednesday at an Eid-el-
Kabir lunch, organised by the
state’s Ministry of Agriculture for
journalists.
“This administration is
committed to farmers’
productivity to raise their income
and uplift their standard of living
through rice production”.
Madugu said that the
development partners were
working with the government to
implement the Rice Post Harvest
Processing and Marketing Pilot
scheme to boost agriculture and
ensure rural development.
He said that government recently
distributed 100 motorcycles to
agricultural extension workers in
the state to resuscitate extension
services.
Ahmed Matane, the state’s
commissioner for agriculture and
rural development, said that
government’s determination to
regenerate its agricultural sector
was aimed at boosting economic
activities.