The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has announced Nigeria’s readiness to partner with Saudi Arabia to increase food production and investment.
The minister made this announcement during the visit of the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engr. Abdulrahman Alfadley and his delegation to his office in Abuja.
Kyari emphasised that food security and agriculture are top priorities on President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s agenda. He acknowledged the significant social and economic dimensions of the widely applauded reforms being carried out by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, ably assisted by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
The minister pointed out that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing and robust bilateral relationship dating back several centuries due to the common ties between their people, particularly in culture and religion. He recalled a Nigerian delegation’s visit to Saudi Arabia six months ago, where they discussed potential avenues for cooperation and investment in irrigation, livestock, farmland development and value addition.
The ministry’s director of information, Mrs. Anthonia Eremah released a statement explaining President Tinubu’s willingness and readiness to accommodate a range of ideas that can develop and encourage investments in the agriculture sector. She stated that the partnership between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia aims to increase food production and create opportunities for investments in the agriculture sector, among other areas of mutual interest.
The Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engr. Abdulrahman Abdulmoshen expressed his country’s intentions to invest in the sector and target the Nigerian market, adding that both countries’ private sectors would explore further opportunities. He stated, “We do believe that Nigeria has some comparative advantages and the need to invest wisely in the agriculture, food sector, whereby we will be targeting the Nigerian market.”
Kyari reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to boosting food production and investment while expressing his gratitude for the hospitality extended to them during their visit. He appreciated the candour and earnestness in discussing the broad issues of mutual interest and potential avenues for cooperation and investment. The Nigeria-Saudi Arabia partnership is set to create significant opportunities for investments in the agriculture sector, especially in irrigation, livestock, farmland development and value addition. The collaboration aims to increase food production, improve food security and foster economic growth while strengthening the existing bilateral relationship between the two countries.
