Nigeria, Bangladesh Strengthens Bilateral Relations to Attain Self-Sufficiency in Food Production

Gilbert Ekugbe

The federal government and the Government of Bangladesh are partnering to boost efforts and programmes aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in food production for both countries.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, said the move is coming on the heels of the present administration’s plan to attain food security.

Umakhihe, however, expressed the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the Government of Bangladesh in the area of agro-farming to boost the bilateral relations between both countries.

He stated this at a symposium with the theme: “Promoting Agric-farming for the Trade and Investments to Promote Sustainable and Inclusive Development; Opportunities for Nigeria and Bangladesh,” held in Abuja.

Represented by Director Special Duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, he stated that agriculture sector is playing a vital role in the overall economic performance of both countries as it would promote agricultural market of agro-products and establish linkages with the global agro-supply chain.

In his remarks, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Masudur Rahman, pointed out that Bangladesh is predominantly an agricultural country where the government has played proactive role in accelerating the economic growth.

He noted that agriculture sector has been given the highest priority to make the country self-sufficient in food production, adding that Bangladesh government was determined to develop the overall agricultural sector by aligning the goals set out with their plans such as the National Agricultural Policy 2018, National Food Policy and Sustainable Development goals programme being implemented to improve the economy.

The National President, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Dele Oye, who was represented by Mr. Farouk Suleiman, disclosed that the objective was to create an avenue for exchange of ideas and establish trade partnerships that would drive mutual prosperity and sustainable development.