FG Signs Agreements with Japan to Strengthen Quality Seed Production, Disease Control
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The federal government has signed agreements with the Government of Japan, and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to improve the rice seeds production system as well as strengthen the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) projects to aid socio-economic development of the country.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu and the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, signed the agreements on behalf of their respective governments in Abuja over the weekend.
The minister noted that these two important projects aimed to enhance Nigeria’s socio-economic development were incubated ideas coming to fruition.
He said the idea synchronises with the country’s system, adding that the primary objective was to ensure that family- based smallholder farmers can do better and not to be displaced by large-scale farmers and mechanisation.
Specifically, he pointed out that the seed production project aimed to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and input substitution, focusing on enhancing quality of breeder and foundation seeds, equipment procurement for rice cultivation, testing, inspection and post-harvest processing.
He said the deal would also bolster the capacity of the National Cereals Research Institution (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State and its outstations.
The proposed sites for the project are in Niger and Oyo States, the minister said.
On the NCDC support initiative, Bagudu explained that the project would entail installing biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 laboratories and equipment at the National Reference Laboratory of NCDC.
In a statement issued by the Director, Information, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Julie Osagie-Jacobs, the minister added that the initiative, which is being done in collaboration with the Japanese Government through JICA will cushion infections disease surveillance and national health security.
The proposed sites for the laboratories are Gaduuwa, Abuja and Yaba in Lagos State.
However, Kazuyoshi noted that the projects are testament to the continued cooperation and shared commitment to improving the lives of the Nigerian citizens.
He said the Japanese Government had supported Nigeria’s effort to tackle infectious diseases in the health sector, adding that the strengthening of the diagnostic capacity of the NCDC would enhance the country’s capacity to detect and respond to infectious diseases by establishing a state-of-the-art biosafety level 3 laboratory within the centre.
According to the Japanese envoy, the partnership extended to the agriculture sector where Japan had contributed to enhancing productivity, food security and sustainable practices.
Kazuyoshi the rice seed project seeks to meet Nigeria’s increasing rice demand by enhancing certified seed quality and boosting production, stressing that the initiative supports Nigeria’s goal to diversify its economy.
He added that 40 per cent of the sesame seeds consumed in Japan are sourced from Nigeria which demonstrates the high quality and global appeal of the Nigerian agricultural products.
He reiterated the Japanese commitment to working hand-in-hand with Nigeria to achieve identified goals and create a more resilient and inclusive future for the country.
