Key players in Niger State’s agricultural value chain gathered in Minna for the first medium edition of the AGRA–Niger Foods Rice Trade Fair and Exhibition, aimed at strengthening food security and promoting market linkages.
The event, organised by Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited in collaboration with AGRA, took place at the Niger Foods warehouse Maikunkele, bringing together farmers, processors, millers, distributors, retailers, and policymakers.
The trade fair served as a platform to drive collaboration, showcase locally produced rice, and encourage investment in mechanised farming and modern processing technologies. It also provided free marketing opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to expand their reach and increase sales.
The Niger Foods Project Coordinator, Rukkaya Salihu, said the initiative is designed to deepen engagement among stakeholders and stimulate innovation within the sector.
She noted that the interactions recorded at the event are essential for advancing agricultural development, improving livelihoods, and achieving long-term food security.
As part of the exhibition, AGRA’s Niger State Project Officer, Godswill Aguiyi, facilitated a training session for student representatives from three schools at the knowledge booth explaining the application of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Differential GPS (DGPS) in modern agriculture, highlighting their role in precision farming.
According to him, DGPS supports variable rate applications such as seeding, fertiliser distribution, and chemical spraying, enabling farmers to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Complementing the session, Senior Survey Manager of Niger Foods, Danjuma Makeri, provided practical demonstrations on the use of GPS tools for field measurements, mapping, and real-time data collection.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Livestock and Fisheries, Abdullahi Mammagi, described the trade fair as a timely intervention aligned with the state government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing food security.
He said the initiative creates opportunities for stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore markets, and build partnerships while noting that the collaboration between AGRA and Niger Foods reflects the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable agricultural development.
The Commissioner urged participants to take advantage of the platform to adopt best practices that would increase yield and profitability.
Highlights of the event included a jollof rice cooking competition among four groups, with winners receiving 25kg, 10kg, and 5kg bags of Niger Foods processed rice. Awards were also presented to individuals for their contributions to food security.
Among the awardees were the Coordinator of Bago Ruga Ruga, Hassan Shiroro; Director of Schools and Education Reforms, Maimuna Mohammed; and Mohammed Abdullahi Gimba of Niger Foods, who emerged Best Staff of the Year 2025.
The event concluded with a cultural dance performance by the Bago Ruga Ruga group, reflecting a blend of local culture and commerce while reinforcing rice as a unifying factor among producers and consumers.
