The US government has flagged off a private sector partnership in Nigeria’s agricultural sector at the US Embassy. The $2 million partnership is aimed at increasing access to smart tractors, improved seeds, and profitable markets for over 45,000 small scale farmers across seven states, including the Federal Capital Territory by the end of the programme.
The deputy chief of mission, Maria Brewer, described the partnership as a co-investment in public goods. “Many young people see jobs in agriculture as old-fashioned. They think these jobs lack opportunities for economic benefit and career advancement. In reality, the agricultural sector offers huge potential for job creation for young people.
In sub-Saharan Africa, up to 70 per cent of young people live in rural areas and half of the youth labour force works in agriculture,” she indicated. Adding that partnership with the private sector was a win-win”,”she said.
The minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh described the partnership as a welcome development, expressing delight for the work done by USAID and its contribution to the agricultural sector in Nigeria. He explained that agriculture in Nigeria remains a peasant enterprise, adding that the country spends close to a billion dollar annually on importation of milk.
Ogbeh revealed that with new security plan, the ministry of Interior is expected provide adequate security on farmlands for investors through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
