NG-CARES 2.0: Gov. Bago inaugurates distribution of agricultural inputs to 15,000 beneficiaries
Inauguration
By Naomi Ishaku-Bugo
Minna, Aug. 22, 2026 (NAN) Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has inaugurated the distribution of 2026 wet season agricultural inputs and productive assets to over 15,000 beneficiaries.
The programme is under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Additional Financing (NG-CARES AF)
Bago, who was represented by his deputy Mr Yakubu Garba, noted that the intervention was designed to protect livelihoods, strengthen food production, support vulnerable households, and stimulate economic activities across communities.
He said that agriculture remains at the centre of the new Niger agenda of his administration.
Bago said in Niger, agriculture was considered a pathway to wealth creation, employment, and sustainable economic development beyond the means of feeding people.
According to him, let us remember that our real measure of success will not simply be the number of beneficiaries but the increase in food production, reduction in postharvest losses, jobs created, and improvement in the living standards of our people.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make the best use of the intervention given to them.
In his remarks, Dr Adegoke Austin, National Fadama project coordinator, said the event was a practical demonstration of collective commitment to strengthen the resilience, productivity, and livelihoods of farmers and other vulnerable members of the community.
He said it also reaffirmed that the Fadama NG CARES programme is firmly focused on transmitting government interventions into tangible benefits at the grassroots.
Austin noted that the distribution was timely, especially as the nation is intensifying efforts to achieve sustainable food security and build a more resilient agricultural sector through Fadama NG CARES.
Also speaking, Mustapha Ndajowo Chairman, State NG-CARES steering committee and Commissioner for Planning Commission, appreciated the governor for his administration’s continued support, which enabled State CARES to continue to deliver timely interventions.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, planning commission, Hajiya Aisha Usman, Ndajowo called on local government chairmen to take leadership to ensure effective onward distribution at the grassroots level to cut down transportation costs for the beneficiaries.
Alhaji Isah Sidi-Rijau, Commissioner for Agriculture, said the intervention would greatly improve food productivity, increase household income, and strengthen food security across the state.
Alhaji Shehu Mohammed, state project coordinator for Fadama NG-CARES, said that in the implementation of NG-CARES 2.0, several activities, including sensitisation of stakeholders, mobilisation of beneficiaries into Primary/Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) and Farmer Community Associations (FCAs), among others, were carried out.
He disclosed that the target beneficiaries in the state were drawn from agricultural value chains, including rice, maize, sorghum, livestock—particularly goats and poultry (broilers)—and fisheries.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed their appreciation and promised to effectively utilise the support for maximum results.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NIB/YMU
Edited by Yakubu Uba
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