The Federal Government has received request from the Government of Guninea –Bissau seeking assistance in rice production so as to enable them strive towards food sufficiency, food security and nutrition. This was disclosed today in Abuja as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono received the Guinean Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Henrique Adriano Da Silva along with the Country Representative of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), His Excellency Suffyan Koroma.

The request comes at the heels of the innovative successes recorded in the production of Nigerian rice by Nigerian Farmers which can be tied to the equipping of farmers with improved rice seedlings, farm inputs and providing anchor borrowing facilities by the current Administration.

Alhaji Nanono emphasized that in the meantime, the Ministry will assist Guinea-Bissau in terms of personnel training /technical assistance in rice value chain. However, the Minister was quick to note that establishing bilateral agreements between the two Governments were absolutely necessary. He also promised to meet with the Guinean Minister of Agriculture to commence this initiative.

Ambassador Da Silva had earlier stated that rice value chain was the core of Guinean agriculture which saw Guinea exporting rice to other countries like Angola, Mozambique and Portugal among others.

The Ambassador further remarked that as at today, 90% of rice consumed in the country was imported which calls for the government to seek assistance from the Nigerian government.

On the other hand, the Country Representative of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), His Excellency Suffyan Koroma presented a document which chronicles activities of FAO in Nigeria from 2017 to present.

As part of efforts of Nigerian Government to improve the county’s foreign earnings and create jobs for the citizenry, Nigeria, being the 4th largest producer of Cashew in the world, has been successfully registered to the International Consultative Cashew Council.

This was completed at the 3rd session of the Council of Ministers of the International Consultative Cashew Council (CICC) where the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri represented the country and performed the official signing.

Nigeria will benefit largely from the Council in terms OF added value, job creation and income generation.