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.