In the struggle to tackle the problem of food security in Nigeria the federal government has won the support of another country that is willing to invest in the ongoing efforts to undertake massive production of food items in the country. This was revealed when Saudi Arabia disclosed its preparedness to collaborate with the federal government in efforts to increase the production of food. A delegation from the oil rich nation, which was led by Engr. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Alfadley, the minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture delivered the message to Senator Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s minister of Agriculture and Food Security in his office in Abuja. According to Alfadley, Saudi Arabia is willing to assist the federal government to increase the production of food and other items.
The visiting minister told his host that Saudi Arabia will not only invest in agriculture it will also target the Nigerian market for the agricultural products. He said that in furtherance of the bilateral relations between the two countries, efforts will be made to stimulate collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries to explore more advantages for the benefit of citizens here in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Hear the Saudi minister: “ We do believe that Nigeria has some comparative advantages and the need to invest wisely in the agriculture, and food sector, whereby we will be targeting the Nigerian market’’.
Kyari, who said the gesture being extended by his guests would compliment the effort of President Bola Tinubu to increase food production in Nigeria, applauded the ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia. He said, “The social and economic dimensions of these far-reaching reforms are truly pleasing to the friends of the kingdom across the globe”.
The visit by the Saudi Arabia delegation is sequel to an earlier visit by the Nigerian government delegation last year comprising Kyari, his counterpart in the ministry of Budget, Planning and Economic Development and the Governors of Bauchi, Katsina and Niger States. Kyari alluded to that visit in his comments, indicating that discussions towards the agreed collaborative efforts started during the talks in Saudi Arabia.
A statement signed by FMAFS Chief Information Officer, Eremah Anthonia, quoted Senator Kyari of saying, “Let me thank you once again for the hospitality extended to us on that very occasion and more particularly to appreciate the candour and earnestness in discussing the broad issues of mutual interest and potential avenues for cooperation and investment in irrigation, livestock, farmland development and value addition.”
Last year, the federal government signed an MoU with Cuba towards enhancing the battle for food security. Kyari had said at that event, “Nigeria is keenly interested in collaborating with Cuba in the domains of poultry, livestock, and fisheries.” The support from the United States of America gives impetus to medium and small scale businesses in Nigeria.
When the United States celebrated five years of “Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment activity,” a programme designed to help small business owners in the country last year, it said that it had spent $15.7 million to assist over 18,000 businesses in Agriculture sector in the country.
Another $244 million is said to have been spent in the support for the expansion of businesses in aquaculture, cowpea and maize, rice and soyabean production. These efforts are said to have produced good results. The International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD remains a dependable partner with the federal government. The agency has been fully involved in the distribution of agricultural inputs and equipment to enhance food security since President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the sector last year. With Saudi Arabia coming to put her experience to bear in the area of irrigation and poultry there is no doubt that the current efforts will make a difference.