Nigeria, Netherlands to collaborate on improved seeds for farmers

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has disclosed the Government’s readiness to collaborate with the Government of Netherlands on improved seeds /seedlings in order to boost agricultural production in the country.

The Minister disclosed this while hosting a delegation of private investors led by the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Marion Kappeyne in Abuja.

Ogbeh commended the government of Netherlands for its numerous supports for Nigeria towards the development of Agriculture, adding that Nigeria looked forward to further high level of engagements with Netherlands especially on improved seeds.

The Minister  explained that aside  the need for an improved seeds, Nigerian government would further require the support of Netherlands Government on areas of research, cattle breeding, aquaculture, adding that Nigeria spends 60 million dollar annually on fish import.

He stated that the Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of interior has set up Agro Rangers to provide security for Nigerian farmers as part of government’s commitment to create an enabling environment for both public and private sectors in the   nation’s Agriculture sector.

He informed the delegation that Nigeria would continue to partner with the Netherlands Government to develop Nigeria’s Agriculture sector.

Earlier in her address, the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Marion Kappeyne said the delegation was in the Ministry to explore areas of collaboration for the development of the Agriculture sector.

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The delegation stated that areas of collaboration would include improved seeds, horticulture, aquaculture, poultry and nutrition among others and expressed the Netherlands government’s willingness to support Nigeria on her Agriculture revolution to change the country from food import to food export.

In his remarks, the Nigerian Minister of State, Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said the focus of the present administration was to achieve self -sufficiency in food production which could only be achieved through an extensive research and he called on the Netherlands government to support Nigeria on area of research development in Agriculture.