FAO Representative holds discussions with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Abuja - Today the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Nigeria and to Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS), Fred Kafeero, paid a courtesy call to the Federal Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Hon. Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar at his office in Abuja.
During the meeting, Hon. Abubakar was accompanied by the State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Alhaji Mustapha Baba Shehuri, FMARD Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe whereas Mr. Kafeero was flanked by FAO’s Assistant Representative (Programme), Dr. Abubakar Suleiman.
Following the recent cabinet reshuffle by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE Muhammad Buhari, which saw Hon. Dr. Abubakar moving from the Federal Ministry of Environment to FMARD, this courtesy call was to reiterate FAO’s commitment to strengthen technical cooperation with Nigeria as one of its member states.
In his remarks, Mr. Kafeero congratulated Hon. Dr. Abubakar for the new docket and assured him of FAO’s readiness in working with the Federal Government of Nigeria towards improved food security, nutrition and overall agricultural transformation.
“As a specialized UN Agency, FAO will continue to support Nigeria, with technical assistance in its efforts to improve agriculture and food security in the country through crop production, fisheries, livestock and sustainable natural resources management,” Mr. Kafeero noted.
Mr. Kafeero appraised the Minister of UN’s joint pilot project ‘Integrated Approach to Building Peace between Farmers and Herders in Nigeria’ in selected states as some of the efforts to resolve conflicts on natural resources through the promotion of alternative animal feeds and demarcation of land for pasture and agriculture.
The FAO Representative also commended Nigeria for ratifying the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and pledged FAO’s technical support in domesticating this important treaty.
Mr. Kafeero highlighted the importance of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) in curbing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the gulf of guinea and urged the Minister to get Nigeria as a party to this important agreement.
He also seized the opportunity to update on FAO’s Hand in Hand Initiative (HiHI) and explained that it is an evidence-based, country-led and country-owned initiative for accelerating agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development to eradicate poverty and end hunger and all forms of malnutrition.
“The initiative works directly with member countries and partners to enable them to achieve sustainable development goals on poverty eradication, zero hunger and reduction of inequalities,” he pointed out.
On his side, Hon. Dr. Abubakar appreciated the FAO’s excellent support and pledged continued collaboration. He specifically commended the outcomes so far registered in the farmer-herder crisis mitigation project saying it is one of the ways that could be used to address the conflicts over natural resources.
“Sustained collaboration with FAO and other key actors is so crucial for improving agriculture in the country. I look forward to continuing working closely together,” he said.
For more details Comtact:
Emmanuel Kihaule David Tsokar Opeyemi Olagunju
Communications Specialist Communications Specialist Communications/Reporting Officer
FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria – North East Sub Office
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