From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government is set to lease the multi-billion-naira Songhai Farm to a private company, Omena Nigeria Limited.
The Songhai Farm, located in Dutsinma Local Government Area, was established with modern agricultural facilities at a cost of N3 billion during the administration of former Governor Shehu Shema.
Our correspondent reports that the farm center, regarded as one of the best in Africa, was designed to train farmers and youth in modern farming techniques.
Additionally, it was intended to produce fertilizer and other agricultural inputs for both rain-fed and irrigation farming.
However, the farm fell into neglect during the administration of Governor Aminu Masari, which argued that it could not continue to finance the project.
As a result, the Masari administration leased the farm to Dangote Group for N500 million.
Speaking before the House of Assembly’s Committee on Appropriation while defending the 2025 budget, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Ahmed Bakori, revealed that the leasing agreement with Dangote had expired in 2023.
He further explained that the administration of Governor Dikko Radda had entered into a new three-year leasing agreement with Omena Nigeria Limited, which has already begun constructing facilities to fully operationalize the farm center.
Bakori stated that under the new arrangement, the company would pay N200 million to the state government annually.
He added that the government may review the lease agreement after the three-year term.
In response, the Chairman of the Committee, Lawal H. Yaro, commended the Ministry of Agriculture for providing detailed information about the agreement.
He assured that the House would closely monitor the implementation of the agreement to ensure the proper use of the funds generated from it.
