TheCable

The federal government says it is ready to collaborate with Bangladesh in agro-farming to boost bilateral relations between both countries.

Ernest Umakhihe, permanent secretary of the ministry of agriculture and rural development, spoke at a symposium with the theme “Promoting agro-farming for trade and investments; opportunities for Nigeria and Bangladesh”.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Anthonia Eremah, the ministry’s spokesperson, Umakhihe said the partnership would enhance self-sufficiency in food and job creation, among others.

Umakhihe was represented by Fausat Lawal, director, special duties, at the event which held on Monday.

“It is on the record that the impacts of climate change, insecurity, Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict have had an adverse effect on agricultural production in Nigeria and Africa generally,” he said.

Masudur Rahman, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, applauded the partnership, saying the Asian nation is predominantly an agricultural country with favourable policies that can accelerate collaboration.

Rahman added that the Bangladesh government is determined to develop the overall agricultural sector by aligning the goals set out with other economic plans such as the country’s national agricultural policy.

On his part, Dele Oye, the national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said Nigeria and Bangladesh have abundant raw materials that could support the development of agribusiness.

However, Oye advised that in spite of the opportunities for agro-farming and business in both countries, the challenges in infrastructure, financing and regulation should be addressed.