By Giwa SHILE
The Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ricardo Guerra Araujo, on Thursday said Brazil was willing to help Nigeria to develop its agricultural sector.
Araujo made the promise at the Private Sector Consultation on the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019 to 2028 and the Green Imperative in Abuja.
He said that Brazil had passed through the present situation where Nigeria was willing to diversify its economy through the development of its agricultural sector.
“Brazil has done its green revolution many years ago; Nigeria and Brazil share similar things in common, especially in the area of climate and soil texture, among others.
“We believe we can help your country to develop its agriculture because we have gone far.
“It is about time we do things together and we must stop making speeches in papers; we need to swing into action,’’ the envoy said.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says Nigeria’s collaboration with Brazil in the area of harnessing economic benefits in agriculture would hasten positive turnaround in the sector.
According to the minister, Brazil is willing to help Nigeria especially, in the area of agriculture to harness the abundant benefits in the sector.
“Brazil understands our current agricultural challenges because they were like Nigeria 50 years ago, but they have since embraced agricultural revolution, using technology.
“Our sheer butter can be better exploited with value addition but we are yet to do that in large scale.
“Let us partner with Brazil to become agro-industrial state and earn more revenue through agricultural value chain.
“This is the beginning of second phase of agric revolution, let us come together to embrace it,’’ he said.
Dr Andrew Kwasari, the Senior Special Assistant on agriculture to the Vice-President, urged attendees to make good use of the programme.
“Let us use this interaction to proffer solution on how to increase use of technology to get agricultural data.
Kwasari said that the NLTP programme would create a service centre for useful information of some agricultural produce for farmers and consumers.
“Our room for growth in agriculture is huge, Nigeria and Brazil`s climate factors have been considered before drawing this programme and this is very key for improvement.
“This programme will increase productivity, job creation, identify private sector capacity and banks in terms of loan package,” he said.——NAN
