The Minister of State for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with Propcom to enhance productivity, improve nutrition, and bolster food security in Nigeria.
In a recent meeting with a team from Propcom, led by Deputy British High Commissioner Gill Lever, Abdullahi stated the importance of strategic partnerships to address environmental, social, and economic challenges in Nigeria’s food and land use system.
Propcom, an eight-year program funded by the UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aims to support climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural and forestry practices.
The minister highlighted the critical role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy, empahazing the need for collaboration to revitalize the food system and prioritize food security. He emphasized the significance of animal health in agricultural productivity and mentioned ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s animal health support group to enhance the health of animals and farmers, thereby reducing losses and improving productivity.
Acknowledging agriculture as a multifaceted sector, Abdullahi stressed the importance of partnerships, collaboration, and mechanization to achieve the country’s goals in productivity, nutrition, and food security. He urged Propcom to address challenges such as pest control, citing recent issues with ginger production, and emphasized the connection between a healthy population and a healthy nation.
Regarding mechanization, Abdullahi highlighted partnerships with companies like John Deere and Greener Hope to enhance productivity and support the government’s objectives on food security.
In response, Deputy British High Commissioner Gill Lever emphasized the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the UK and outlined Propcom’s goals to support resilience and sustainable agriculture. Lever solicited government support for animal services, particularly in rural areas, emphasizing Propcom’s versatility and its role in supporting various business models, scaling up access to animals, and promoting innovation in agriculture.
