Food Security: Nigeria, Saudi partner to boost agriculture

The Federal Government of Nigeria has joined forces with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to boost the country’s agriculture.

Nigerian delegates at the meeting include, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Abdulrahman Abdullazaq, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum, among others, who were all led by Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; while the delegates from Saudi Arabia were led by her Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engr. Abdulrahman Alfadley.

The Meeting, which took place at Transcrop Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday, was all about how to boost the Nigerian agricultural sector, improve food security and how both countries could build a strong economical relationship.

“It was part of a deliberate move to achieve food production and explore investment opportunities in the country, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently met with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia with a follow up meeting being held in Nigeria between the two countries to rekindle the earlier commitment”, Sen. Kyari revealed.

“In prioritizing agriculture and food security, President Tinubu has left no one in doubt as to his willingness and readiness to accommodate a range of ideas that can sustainably develop and encourage investments in the sector.”

Sen. Kyari further explained the strength of Nigeria in agriculture and how the economy will improve rapidly if the country uses her agricultural posture well.

On his part, Sen. Bagudu appealed to the government of Saudi Arabia and Saudi private investors to invest in the Nigerian agricultural ecosystem.

He said that the Nigerian government is ready to partner with genuine investors to improve the nation’s agricultural produce and food security.

The Head of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia delegates, Engr Abdulrahman Alfadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, stated during his remark that they were in Nigeria not only to enhance bilateral agriculture, but to build a good relationship between the two countries, and help each other in all sectors of the economy.