By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Nigeria has requested technical and financial assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to support the development and restoration of the Lake Chad Basin, with the goal of revitalizing agribusiness, livelihoods, and food security in the region.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, presented the request during a bilateral meeting with the Director-General of the United Nations agency.
The Minister emphasized the need to strengthen partnerships with the FAO to expand irrigation systems, improve water management, and enhance resilience for smallholder farmers, enabling year-round agricultural production.
He also highlighted the importance of advancing agricultural mechanization to boost efficiency, productivity, and value addition in rural farming communities.
Kyari further appealed for increased employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians at the FAO’s headquarters and global offices, citing Nigeria’s commitment to agricultural transformation and food security.
In response, Dr. Qu Dongyu reaffirmed the FAO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s agricultural priorities and advancing shared goals of food security, climate resilience, and rural prosperity.
