The Niger State Contributory Healthcare Agency (NiCare) is to provide access to health insurance for farmers in the state.
Governor Mohammed Bago presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding MoU between Niger Foods Ltd and The Niger State Contributory Healthcare Agency (NiCare) to provide access to health insurance for farmers in the state.
The signing of the MoU took place at the Government House, Minna where the governor lauded both parties for coming up with the initiative, describing it as unprecedented.
He said the contributory health scheme had not achieved the desired result in the state, adding that the state government was discussing with civil servants to ensure that the scheme is turned around for effective and efficient service delivery.
The governor further observed that lack of production is the root of the economic challenges in the country, adding that the agricultural initiatives both at the federal and state levels would be a lasting solution.
He said the state government reduced transportation of food items out of the state in order to protect farmers and the residents from exploitation, pointing out that a price control mechanism would be introduced.
Earlier, the commissioner for tertiary health, Dr. Bello Tukur, said the state was embarking on a massive and unprecedented agricultural activity, hence the need for health insurance coverage.
He said workers on the 250 hectares of farmland that would be cultivated by the state government as well as every farmer on the farmland that is registered by the Niger Foods Company are eligible to benefit from the health insurance.
Also speaking, the chairman, Niger Foods Ltd, Mr Sammy Adigun, disclosed that the programme would empower 350,000 families, explaining that the health insurance scheme is for a farmer, one wife and his children.
He further disclosed that the scheme would cost N12,000 for each family and where cash is not available, farmers would pay with crops, emphasising that it would be of great benefit to farmers as it would allow them to save more money.
The executive secretary, Niger State Contributory Healthcare Agency NiCare, Suleiman Abubakar, said part of the responsibility of the agency is to ensure that residents of the state have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.