The Republic of Benin and Niger State, Nigeria, have signed a multi-billion-dollar Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting agricultural production and creating new opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agro sector.
The agreement, signed in Cotonou by Governor Umaru Bago alongside Nigeria's Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, focuses on large-scale cultivation of cotton, maize, and soybeans. It targets 450,000 tonnes of cotton and the expansion of 550,000 hectares for maize and soybean cultivation by 2030.
Beyond crop expansion, the deal will establish 55 technical centers to train local farmers, mechanics, drivers, and agronomists, providing SMEs with access to mechanization, irrigation systems, subsidized seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming techniques.
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Governor Bago described the agreement as "remarkable and unprecedented," noting that it opens doors for agro-SMEs to access cross-border trade, strengthen value chains, and scale their businesses with support from joint research and improved market systems.
The phased rollout begins with 20,000 hectares in the first year, expanding by 50,000 hectares annually, with the long-term goal of creating over one million jobs, strengthening regional agricultural trade, and positioning SMEs at the center of sustainable growth in the sector.
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