By Tony Obiechina Abuja
Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance food sovereignty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the country.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reiterated this during a high-level meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nigeria office delegation, who were in his office on Wednesday in Abuja, to give a brief on a Project on Capacity Development for enhancement of Rice Seed Production (CaDERSeeP) in Nigeria.
Receiving the delegation, Senator Bagudu emphasized the significance of Japan’s support for capacity building in rice seed production, which he said, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for national food security and economic resilience. He stated that Nigeria’s landholding and rice-farming systems shared similarities with Japan’s, making the collaboration both strategic and culturally relevant.
“We are deeply grateful for Japan’s support. What we are discussing today is not just another agreement—it is a symbol of enduring friendship and shared values,”
He also referenced past successes in improving rice yields during his tenure as Governor of Kebbi State and Vice-Chairman of the National Food Security Council, where average yields rose from less than one ton to four tons per hectare in just two cropping seasons. The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Government would work closely with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and other stakeholders to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the proposed training programs on the Foundation Seed (FS) and Certified Seed (CS).
“This cooperation holds the key to reducing poverty and boosting agro-industrial development”, he added.
Bagudu also solicited for technical assistance from Experts in soil testing, in order to determine what Nigerian Soil could support best. This, he said, was also of significant importance in enhancing agriculture production in Nigeria.
Senator Bagudu, expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their continued partnership in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in rice production. His words:
“This renewed partnership is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s journey towards agricultural transformation, input substitution, and sustainable economic growth”, he noted.
In his welcome speech, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi mni, noted that their visit was followe up on a long-standing agreement from 2001, focused on enhancing rice seed production in Nigeria adding that, “The goal remains clear—achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and reduce reliance on imports”.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Representative of JICA, Nigeria Office, Yuzurio Susumu, said that the purpose of their visit was to intimate the Minister on the aim of the Project which he said, were to strengthen the multiplication and quality control system of Foundation and Certified Seeds in the targeted States of Oyo and Niger; the implementation structure, baseline Survey, output, amongst other issues.
