Architect Sonny Echono, who is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this development known in Abuja
while receiving the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, in his office.
During the
meeting, Architect Echono remarked that the Chinese agricultural development
model suited Nigeria’s Agricultural
Transformation Agenda (ATA). According to him, Nigeria is working to
improve its milling capacity in rice and cassava. He added that Nigeria
required support in the establishment of ranches, poultry and textile industry,
which led to the invitation Chinese investors to come and invest in these
sectors.
The Permanent
Secretary noted that Nigeria was working hard towards increasing productivity, which
orchestrated the need to develop the Staple
Crops Processing Zones (SCPZs). He disclosed that partnership discussion was
on-going with some research institutions in China in the area of technology.
He said
China has a huge market in cassava chips, hence the need to support Nigeria’s
cassava production, saying Nigeria was the world producer of cassava. According
to him, other opportunities for investment include aqua-culture, fishery
production and wheat production so as to be able to meet the demands of the
local millers. He also sought support in capacity building, in egg powder
production and transfer of technology.
In his
remark, Gu Xiaojie expressed the readiness of the Chinese government to work
closely with the government of Nigeria in exploring areas of cooperation since
both have large population and markets. He suggested the creation of platforms
for commercial farmers and technological companies to meet to know the areas of
needs so as to meet their individual needs and pledged the Chinese government’s
readiness to co-operate with Nigeria in the area of technology, economy and
anti-corruption.
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