FG, Netherland collaborate on improved seedlings
Tom Okpe, Abuja
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has disclosed that the federal government is ready to collaborate with the Netherlands on the production of improved seeds and seedlings in order to boost agricultural production in the country.
The minister made this disclosure while playing host to a delegation of private investors led by the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Marion Kappeyne in Abuja.
Ogbeh commended the government of Netherlands for supporting the country in developing its agricultural sector, adding that Nigeria looks forward to high level engagements with Netherlands, especially on improved seeds.
The minister explained that aside the need for improved seeds, Nigeria further requires the support of the Netherlands in areas of research, cattle breeding, aquaculture, adding that Nigeria spends $60 million annually on fish imports.
He said that “we have collaborated with the ministry of interior to set up agro-rangers squad to provide security for Nigerian farmers as part of government’s commitment to create an enabling environment for both the public and private investors in the nation’s agriculture sector.
“We will continue to partner with the Netherlands government to develop Nigeria’s agriculture sector.”
In his remarks, the Minister of state for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, said the focus of the present administration was to achieve self -sufficiency in food production which can only be achieved through an extensive research, calling on the Netherlands government to support Nigeria in the area of research development.
Earlier in her address, the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Marion Kappeyne, said the delegation was at the ministry to explore areas of collaboration between the two countries for the development of the agriculture sector.
The delegation stated that areas of collaboration would include, improved seeds, horticulture, aquaculture, poultry and nutrition among others, expressing the Netherlands government’s willingness to support Nigeria in her agriculture revolution to change the country from a food importer to a food exporter.
