By Adedapo Adesanya
One of Nigeria’s bilateral trade partners, The Republic of Turkey, is set to invest $15 million in the Nigerian agricultural sector in two years.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mustapha Baba Shehuri, has welcomed this move by the Turkish Government, saying it will boost the nation’s economy.
He commended the Turkish government for the decision, saying prior to the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria, agriculture was the mainstay of the country’s economy, but due to the boom that came with the oil sector, the dependence on the sector waned.
Mr Shehuri, during a visit to his office in Abuja by a Turkish investment delegation led by the Commercial Counsellor, Turkish Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Onur Akgul, acknowledged the fact that Nigeria had a lot to learn and gain from Turkey’s experience in the Agricultural Value Chain which progressed exceedingly in the sector over the years.
Speaking to the members of the delegation, he vowed that the ministry will fully support the investment plans, adding that it will come up with a document that will guide all investors in the agricultural sector and help both the investors and the government achieve the desired goal.
The Minister also promised that a portal will be created where all the information needed by the investors about the achievement of the ministry and its agencies will be provided.
The Turkish commercial counsellor, Mr Onur Akgul, said that with the $15 million, the country is seeking to invest in technological solutions such as the mobile solar system, mechanisation, skill training, food supply security, agricultural infrastructure and rural development within the two years of commencement of the collaboration.
On his part, the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination at the ministry, Mr Zubairu Abdullahi, called for the change in method of practicing agriculture in the country as manual farming was still processes in some parts. He said the country need improvement on farming implements for the rural farmers.
