ASHENEWS reports that the Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has signed an agreement for a partnership with American agriculture manufacturing company – John Deere for the procurement of farm equipment worth $650 million for farmers in the state.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim said that the equipment will be used to cultivate one million hectares of land across the state in approximately 100 different farm estates with each estate averaging 10,000 hectares.
The statement listed the equipment to include 600 high-capacity tractors (100-430hp), 200 high-capacity combine harvesters, 200 bulldozers, and 200 excavators.
This is in addition to “other implements including the latest technology in planters, sprayers, and fertilizer spreaders,” according to the statement.
“This equipment will be in addition to the recently procured 300 tractors to be delivered this month,” the statement added.
The statement noted that the partnership was aimed at supporting the federal government’s efforts at ensuring food security in the country, through a target of producing 10 million tons of food annually.
This online platform reports that Bago is currently taking part in the Senior Executive Program of Harvard Business School, Boston, United States of America, USA.
The program gives room for deliberation on Supply chain Risk and Resilience, Palm Oil Industries Demand, differentiation strategies and the development of unique value propositions in Agro Retail businesses.