Nigeria and Pakistan agreed to increase farmers’ productivity over the weekend in an effort to improve food production.
This was made known after a crucial meeting between the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdulahi, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Sohali Ahmad Khan, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Abdulahi said both countries have similarities and have long diplomatic and bilateral relationships; therefore, they are to synergize, work together, and develop each other’s economies.
He also said that President Bola Tinubu has remained committed to addressing issues affecting the country, including insecurity triggered by climate change.
He said, “Nigeria is ready to partner with all our friends by creating something that would work for the two countries.”
Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Sohali Ahmad Khan, who was accompanied by some officials of the High Commission, explained that their visit was basically to see how they can also proffer solutions and learn from Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He said Pakistan would like to share training and expertise in terms of research and innovation, where professionals from Nigeria will come to Pakistan and see for themselves things that will be of interest.
According to the Pakistani envoy, in agriculture, his country is the 5th largest producer of cotton, 4th largest producer of sugar, 8th largest producer of meat, and 10th largest producer of rice in the world, and this made the country stand out as the 10th largest producer of these agricultural products, and the country had advanced in agricultural research and innovation.
He therefore called for both countries to collaborate and boost agriculture on a larger scale.
“We are looking at offering you ways and means through which Nigeria can have their capacity building,” he added.