Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, is setting aside N500m for the establishment of Cottage Farms to engage Fulanis in farming.
Farmer Umaru Bago stated this when he received members of the Bago Ruga Ruga Fulani group led by their Coordinator, Hassan Usman Shiroro, at the Government House on a thank you visit and presentation of some vegetables planted and harvested by the group to him
Governor Umaru Bago expressed happiness that the idea of encouraging Fulani people to go into farming is yielding results
He explained that the idea is to create avenue for Fulani people who have lost their sources of living through activities of banditry to have something to hold on to.
Farmer Umaru Bago disclosed that the Bago Ruga Ruga initiative is to ensure that in every community fulanis reside, Niger Foods will support them to cultivate farmlands for them and provide them with seedlings and farm inputs.
He said, the target is to have a situation where Fulanis will contribute their quota to nation building through various sectors.
Farmer Umaru Bago also instructed the Commissioner for nomadic and pastoral affairs to identify all nomadic schools across the state to facilitate the establishment of farms and livestock industries
The Coordinator, Bago Ruga Ruga Fulani group, Hassan Usman Shiroro, said the members of the group decided to come and appreciate the farmer governor for the immense support and for the hope he has rekindled in the Fulanis to engage in farming
Usman Shiroro explained that the vegetables members of the group were able to produce with the support of Niger State Government through Niger Foods has gone a long way in supporting women and youth from various local government areas in line with the vision of the governor
One of the women leaders from the Bago Ruga Ruga group, Inna Wuro, who spoke on behalf of other women, commended Governor Bago for his love and desire to see to the development of women across the State and maintained that the Ruga Ruga initiative will continue to be of immeasurable value to the Fulanis.
The farmer governor was presented with garnished pepper, tomatoes, and other vegetables from the farms cultivated by members of the group .
