India had announced in 2015 concessional loans of US
$10 billion to African countries: Shri Singh
Shri Radha Mohan Singh met
Nigerian Minister of agriculture, H.E. Chief Audu Ogbeh
Union
Agriculture and farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that India
has noted with great interest the new initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria,
particularly the Green Alternative initiative – a roadmap to make Nigeria
self-sufficient in agriculture and a major exporter of agricultural products. The
Minister said this today during his meeting with Nigerian Minister of
Agriculture, H.E. Chief Audu Ogbeh.
The
Minister said India was a food deficient country till the mid-1960s. But now
we have produced more than sufficient for domestic consumption. India is now a
major exporter of agricultural commodities. He said India will be only too happy
to share its experience and expertise in any area of agriculture that Nigeria may
identify.
Shri
Singh said that India had announced in 2015 concessional loans of US $10
billion to African Countries. He said that he was informed that more than 20
officials have participated in short-term capacity building programmes in
agriculture-related areas. More recently Indian had increased training slots
under Indian technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme from 200 to
310 annually to Nigeria, which also include short-term training programmes in
agriculture and allied sectors. He urged the Nigerian Minister to take
advantage of this concessional loan (Lines of credits) and training programme
for agriculture and allied sector.
The Minister further said it is
a matter of some satisfaction that for the last few years, India has been the
largest trading partner of Nigeria and Nigeria is India’s largest trading
partner in Africa. There is tremendous potential for further expanding this
volume. Nigeria may consider importing fresh grapes, pepper, wheat, maize,
rice and cotton.
On
the occasion, Shri Singh conveyed his deep appreciation to the Nigerian
Agriculture Minister for encouraging Indian companies to explore the
opportunities in Nigerian agriculture field both as investors as well as
providers of agri-services, agricultural machinery and technological
assistance. He also thanked Shri Audu Ogbeh for inaugurating the business Event
titled ‘India-Nigeria cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors:
Opportunities and Way Forward” organized by the Indian High Commission in Abuja
last week on 5 December.
Shri
Singh concluded that India and Nigeria enjoy warm and friendly relations, the two
nations are large developing countries with multi-religious, multi-ethnic
societies. We share values such as democracy, pluralist tolerant societies,
respect for human rights and rule of law. India would be glad to contribute to
Nigerian Government’s priorities in the field of agriculture and allied
sectors.
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