The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria and the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) have reiterated their commitment to strengthen joint efforts to help Nigeria transform the agricultural sector.
The two institutions made the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Country Director of SAA, Dr. Godwin Atser to the Japanese Embassy in Abuja.
The partnership is aimed at tapping Japanese technologies including information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the improvement of farming systems in Nigeria.
While receiving the SAA Country Director, Ambassador Kazuyoshi Matsunaga commended the significant role played by SAA in Africa in general, and Nigeria inclusive.
The meeting was strategic as Nigeria is putting more emphasis on agriculture to lift its population out of poverty and create jobs and wealth.
Dr Atser said agriculture holds a lot of potential, but the potential is yet to be fully harnessed.
For instance, most improved technologies are yet to get to farmers because of a weak public extension architecture.
He noted that while SAA had done a lot in revamping the public extension system, more needs to be done, which underscored the need for more partnerships.
He explained that to tackle the myriad problems confronting agriculture, SAA under the leadership of President Makoto Kitanaka rejigged the strategy of the organization with a focus on Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture, Market Oriented Agriculture, and other crosscutting pillars including capacity building, e-extension and inclusion (youth, women and people living with disabilities).
“Through this strategy, the SAA approach has become holistic and is responding to the new and emerging challenges including climate change and pests and diseases facing farmers in Africa, ” he added.
The Ambassador promised to support SAA activities in Nigeria, adding that the Internet penetration in Nigeria was an asset to be harnessed for agricultural development.
The Ambassador noted that technologies in terms of agriculture mechanization could reduce drudgery, boost productivity, and improve the efficiency of farmers in Nigeria.
He reiterated that there was a need for the private sector in Nigeria to work with Japanese companies and create the needed movement of technologies to both countries.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
EXPLAINER: What happens if an elected lawmaker dies after election?
There have been heated arguments on what happens if an elected federal lawmaker dies before taking…
I’m single, bride waiting to be dressed — Olori Naomi
Prophetess Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has claimed to be single and…
Alaafin: My father never lost any bout during his lifetime — First son, Prince Israel
The first son of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Prince Israel Adeyemi, has recounted how the former was…
OFFCUT: How to advice someone with bad breath without being rude
Advising someone with bad breath can be awkward, especially when you want to refrain from using…
Xavi reveals why he called up 15-year-old Lamine Yamal to Barcelona squad
Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has opened up on his historic decision to call up 15-year-old La Masia winger Lamine Yamal to…
The Banana Island building collapse
ON one level, the real tragedy about the collapse of a seven-storey apartment building under construction on First Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, is…
