By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has met with representatives of EFKO Group, a leading Russian agro...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has met with representatives of EFKO Group, a leading Russian agro-industrial company, to explore potential partnerships aimed at enhancing the state’s agricultural and food processing sectors.
EFKO Group is a major producer of specialized fats used in confectionery, baking, and food production. The company also leads Russia’s vegetable oil market with prominent brands such as Sloboda and Altero.
A key focus of the meeting was sunflower oil production. Russia is one of the world’s top producers of sunflower oil, alongside Ukraine and Argentina, and EFKO is seeking to expand its sourcing partnerships. Given Niger State’s vast agricultural potential, the discussions included the possibility of introducing contract farming models for sunflower cultivation—similar to those employed by companies like Bidco Africa in East Africa.
The meeting also covered broader collaboration in food processing. EFKO offers a range of products, including mayonnaise, margarine, sauces, pasta, rice, and cookies. Opportunities for investment, technology transfer, and public-private partnerships were also discussed.
Governor Bago emphasized the potential benefits of the collaboration, including economic diversification, agricultural development, and job creation. The proposed contract farming model is expected to empower local farmers, while EFKO’s involvement could bring advanced farming and processing technologies to the state.
Both parties agreed to conduct feasibility studies to assess the suitability of Niger State’s land for sunflower cultivation. Further discussions will address contract terms and infrastructure development, including processing and storage facilities to support large-scale operations.
No comments