Nigeria country team of AGRA and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has carried out a field visit to Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited in Minna, Niger State.
By Anna Moses, Minna
The essence of the visit is to assess Nigér Foods facilities and the ongoing interventions aimed at strengthening the state’s food system.
During the visit, Executive Director of Niger Foods, Ola Oloyede, commended AGRA for its continuous support in helping farmers adopt modern technologies that reduce post-harvest losses and drive food security.
He noted that the collaboration has enhanced food handling, storage and distribution, benefitting both producers and consumers across the state.
Niger Foods’ Project Manager, Ruqayyah Salihu Ibrahim, explained that the organisation is implementing policies and programmes covering the entire food supply chain to secure and stabilise Niger State’s food system.
She highlighted training programmes including capacity building on rice bran utilisation for feed formulation which equip farmers with technical skills, add value to their produce and create long-term economic opportunities.
Earlier, AGRA’s Country Director in Nigeria, Rufus Idris, expressed satisfaction with Niger Foods’ role in transforming agriculture through private-sector-driven solutions.
He underscored the benefits for smallholder farmers, such as mechanisation, access to finance, improved market linkages and availability of quality seeds and fertilizers.
He added that AGRA hopes to deepen catalytic interventions with Niger Foods to further boost productivity.
Also speaking, AGRA’s Programme Officer in Niger State, Godswill Aguiyi, said the partnership on rice systems is designed to improve competitiveness, increase smallholder farmers’ productivity and raise incomes.
He noted Niger Foods’ market-focused interventions such as farmer training, reducing post-harvest losses and upgrading storage infrastructure, urging farmers to adopt a business-oriented approach to agriculture.
The delegation inspected several locations, including a warehouse in Minna renovated through AGRA’s support.
