Nigeria, Bangladesh pally on agribusiness, says Agric PS

The Permanent Secretary(PS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has expressed the nation's readiness to collaborate with the Government of Bangladesh in agro- processing to enhance food sufficiency and job creations. 

Dr. Ernest Umakhihe stated this in a press statement made available to journalists today.

He said in the press release that the two countries had potential similarities in Agriculture to create sustainable food sufficiency and job creations to boost the economy through an agro value chain system with agricultural export products promotion.

The statement attributed to the PS that the current global food crisis and long-standing challenges of the agricultural sector have made it clear that more investment is needed in Nigeria's agriculture, adding that “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"

The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria in the statement His Excellency, Masudur Rahman pointed Agriculture as being given the highest priority to have food sufficiency adding that Bangladesh government was determined to pally Nigeria in her set goals in the National Agricultural Policy, 2018 and National Food Policy and Sustainable Development goals to improve the economy through Agri business development.

In another statement issued last week Tuesday, the FMARD stated that 50,000 doses of Anthrax vaccines have been deployed to Niger state for mass vaccination of livestock within 12 kilometers away from the farm where the disease was first diagnosed.

The PS in the statement solicited the cooperation of people in the state that would enable the health team to work effectively towards carrying out the necessary activities against further outbreaks.

The statement noted anthrax as an infectious zoonosis disease, caused by bacteria that affect domestic, wild animals and human being, especially those working closely with infected animals.

The statement also had the Emir of Suleja, His Royal Highness, Mallam Muhammad Awwal commended the FG and however called for more collaboration between the two Governments towards a diseased free environment for livestock and animals production in the country.