Nigeria, Oct. 3 -- The Niger State Government has signed a multi-billion dollar Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Benin to boost cotton and food production.

The agreement, signed in Cotonou through the state's Special Purpose Vehicle, Sonama AG Mech Ltd., will anchor the "Cotton Common Platform Project" targeted at producing 450,000 tonnes of cotton in the Borgu region.

Benin Republic is expected to provide technical expertise in cotton production, while Niger State will release land and resources for the project.

By 2030, about 550,000 hectares of land will be cultivated through crop rotation involving cotton, maize and soybeans.

Governor Mohammed Bago described the pact as "remarkable and unprecedented," noting ...