USAID supports Nigeria’s agriculture sector with $600m yearly

PUNCH

The United States Agency for International Development’s office in Nigeria, on Tuesday announced that it supported the development of Nigeria’s agriculture sector with $600m (about N183bn) annually.

USAID’s Mission Director in Nigeria, Mr. Michael Harvey, made the announcement in on the sidelines the inauguration of a new agricultural private sector partnership in Lagos.

Harvey said that the U.S. government was committed to providing technical and financial assistance that would expand opportunities for Nigeria’s small-holder farmers.

He said, “The most important sector that we have got to get right in Nigeria, is the agriculture sector.

“Let me say that the United States Government supports Nigeria’s agriculture sector development with $600m every year.

“And this is really a huge investment that the U.S. is committed to.”

The U.S. official said that with Nigeria’s increasing population, the new partnership with Chi Farms and Niji Foods would boost Nigeria’s efforts at achieving food security.

According to him, public-private partnerships are a proven way of expanding investment in agriculture, improving efficiency and productivity.”

The Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Oyewole Oyewumi, said that Nigeria was consuming about
two million metric tons of fish yearly.

Oyewumi said that it was imperative for Nigeria to develop her agriculture, especially now, that the consumers of crude oil had resorted to the use of alternative energy sources.

He said, “It is necessary that we accord agriculture, especially food production, its rightful place in this country.

“We are all witnesses to the unfolding scenario all over the world, where developed countries, who are the main consumers of our crude oil, are now exploring alternative energy sources.

“This is a signal that Nigeria, should step up its agricultural production, as a matter of National emergency.”

NAN