Ouagadougou: The Nigerien Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Colonel Mahamane Elhadj Ousmane, officially launched yesterday, Saturday, the rehabilitation work of the Lada hydro-agricultural developments and the Agricultural Development Center (CDA). ), in Diffa, on the border with Nigeria.
‘In today’s Niger, our highest requirement in view of what we have experienced in recent months is to achieve our food sovereignty,’ declared the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Colonel Mahamane Elhadj Ousmane, at the launch of rehabilitation work on agricultural sites in Diffa , quoted by the Nigerien press agency.
According to the ANP which provides the information, Niger expects a significant increase in rice and wheat production on these sites. Rice production, from 307 tonnes currently, will increase to 3,328 tonnes while wheat production, from 68 tonnes, will reach 360 tonnes, with the added creation of 5,672 direct jobs and 6,440 indirect jobs, according to the words of the Minister. ‘agriculture.
Fundi
ng for the rehabilitation of these areas will be provided by the national budget and the Solidarity Fund for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (FSSP) to the tune of more than two billion CFA. It will mainly focus on restoring the proper functioning of all irrigation infrastructure and protecting against flooding of the Komadougou, a river connected to Lake Chad.
The rehabilitation of these sites symbolizes the ‘fight that the CNSP and the Government are waging for food sovereignty through the diversification of agricultural production and by promoting the production potential of each region while respecting cultural and ethnic values,’ said the minister. Mahaman Elhadj Ousmane.
‘Firm instructions were given by the minister to the technicians in his department, so that the work could be carried out according to the rules of the art,’ added the ANP.
Niger, by moving away from de facto supervision of France, is committed to defending its sovereignty in all areas like Burkina Faso and Mali.
Source: Burkina In
formation Agency