The Federal Government and the Republic of Cuba have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on food security and agricultural growth.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, stated that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, signed the MoU for the Nigerian Government in Havana, Cuba.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the MoU was signed on the margins of the ongoing G77+China Leaders’ Summit at the Headquarters of Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture, in the presence of officials from both nations.
Kyari described the Expression of Interest (EOI) as a historic trip to improve agricultural links between Nigeria and Cuba.
He praised the Cuban government’s desire to collaborate with Nigeria, stressing that both countries share a same vision for their people.
The minister thanked everyone for their insights into Nigeria’s critical food and agricultural prospects and problems.
In addition, he emphasized Nigeria’s population advantage, large land resources, enormous agricultural potential, and President Bola Tinubu’s goal for food and nutrition security.
“It is in this spirit that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has evolved into the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,” he explained.
Kyari also extended a hand of partnership to his Cuban counterparts, emphasizing critical areas such as bio-fortification of agricultural output and the improvement of agricultural seeds and seedlings.
He added:
“Others were agricultural mechanisation, cutting-edge technologies for increased yields, and the reduction of post-harvest losses.
“Nigeria is keenly interested in collaborating with Cuba in the domains of poultry, livestock, and fisheries.
“Key areas of cooperation include veterinary medicine, vaccine development, artificial insemination, development of pastures and ranching as essential components in curbing the challenges posed by inefficient open grazing of cattle.”