A high-level delegation from Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security recently concluded a one-week official exchange visit to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Led by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, the delegation includes the Permanent Secretary and the Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry. The visit is part of ongoing multilateral cooperation between The Gambia and Nigeria to strengthen agricultural systems, improve food security, and facilitate knowledge and technical exchange in the agricultural sector.
Upon arrival in Abuja, the Gambian delegation was warmly received by deputy ambassador of Gambia in Nigeria, including representatives of the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. The visit aims to foster collaboration in areas such as mechanization service center, land tenant arrangements, land development, value chain development, agribusiness financing, livestock productivity, and regional food trade.
The delegate was warmly welcomed by the permanent Secretary Federal ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) Welcome both the delegates from Gambia and the Deputy High Commissioner of Gambia in Nigeria.
The visit meant to support the MoALFS with expertise knowledge as to how Gambia can meet self-food sufficient speaking to the delegate the permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security(FMAFS) mentioned that Nigeria is currently a self sufficient in Rice through commercial rice production and have commission Ten (10) rice capacity Rice processing mills, in his statement he highlighted that Nigeria has successfully rolled out the National Rice development strategy which is reviewed annually to incorporate new technologies.
The FMAFS will make available technical experts on the delegate mission to engage key players in our introductory meeting, who are more willing to work with the delegate to see the success of the visit. Speaking at the welcoming ceremony the PS. FMAFS assured the Gambia delegate a continues relationship between the two countries, in his closing remarks the PS FMAFS Emphasis the need for domesticating strategies that will be expose the country into self-food sufficient as this visit is built on our long-standing multilateral relationship.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security thanks the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food security for facilitating the official visit. He when further emphasizing the strong long-standing relationship between the two countries, that Gambia and Nigeria has similarities in so many ways ranging from Education
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to building resilient food systems and said lessons from Nigeria’s large-scale initiatives could inform national reforms and farmer support strategies in The Gambia.
On Behalf of the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Nigeria, he presented the delegates and highlighted that the mission is conserved from the discussion between the two Minister as the Gambia and Nigeria bilateral relationship have gone a long way and this visit is a testimony. The WACOT Rice visit is because of the significant milestone in the rice processing. The institution has successfully rolled out the out-grower scheme and is the most successful in the whole of Nigeria.
Speaking during a joint session with Nigerian officials, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and mutual learning. “This visit is a valuable platform for us to exchange best practices, explore innovations, and enhance cooperation on sustainable agricultural development across West Africa,” he stated.
Throughout the week, the delegation is scheduled to tour agricultural research institutions, irrigation schemes, livestock breeding centers, and Agro-processing facilities. They will also participate in policy discussions focused on Nigeria’s Green Imperative programme and strategic frameworks for national food security.