Friday 25 September 2015

FG PERSUADES CHINESE INVESTORS TO INVEST IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has perfected plans to collaborate with the Chinese government in the improvement of agriculture development, Tectono Business Review gathered.

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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