Niger Govt Signs Multi Billion Dollar Soya Beans Off-Take Program With DIREKCI GROUP In Turkish

Turkish Government has shown her readiness to invest in Niger State with the signing of $2 billion Memorandum of Understanding with Niger State government.

In a statement issued, signed and made available to journalists yesterday by the Spokesperson of the Group, Eng, Sammy Adigun noted that Niger State government signed the agreement with a Turkish company, Direkci Group, for the off-taking of Soya Beans in the State.

The agreement was signed at the Niger State Government House, Minna in the presence of farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, officials of Direkci Group, and other top government functionaries.

The 10-year partnership, which will cost $200 million per year and $2 billion for the 10 years period, is under the Niger Foods, and is expected to boost agriculture in the State, create job opportunities and improve the economic status of local farmers.

In his remarks, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago described the agreement as a game-changer and appreciated the Turkish Government for the willingness to invest in Niger State.

However, the benefits of this milestone collaboration between Niger State and Direkci Group include Significant reduction in unemployment and boosting food security, the Turkish firm will off-take 500,000 tonnes of soya bean each year for 10 years that the agreement will last, and also agreement would also empower local farmers by providing them with seeds and fertilizers, ensuring a guaranteed market for their produce.

Others includes the Direkci Group is also investing in a 100,000 hectare Green House project with cold chain facility at the agro processing Zone with an annual output of about 160,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes and pepper among others, the group will also establish a total of 2.5 million chicken production poultry facility including egg and feed mills production in two phases.

Equally the Company would also establish 30,000 hectares of Soya beans farms with irrigation systems in Adunu, Paikoro Local Government area of the State.

In the meantime, the Group has already ordered the first chicken House for 500,000 chickens and would be ready in 6 months time, while 2000 green houses are already being shipped as the group is also to provide $50m as direct support to farmers.

Also Per terms of the agreement, the Turkish Government will also be providing security to protect the investments.

In the long-term, this agreement will boost agricultural activities in the state, further platforming Niger State as the hub of agro revolution in Nigeria.