Stories by John Oba, Abuja
Nigeria and the Republic of Ukraine has promised to foster a more profitable cooperation of bilateral trade relationship within both countries in agriculture.
Both countries made the pledge recently when the Ukranian Ambassador His Excellency Dr.ValeriiAleksandruk and his team visited the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator HenikenLokpobiri, in Abuja.
Address the visiting team, Lokpobiri, said with the launch of the “Green Alternative” the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, has reiterated the present administration’s commitment to the creation of jobs for youths and women.
The Minister in a statement signed by the deputy director, information, Lere-Adams, A. said the government will leverage on wealth inflow, economic growth and improved living standard that will definitely ensure satisfaction among our citizenry.
Lokpobiri said that the easiest way to create job and wealth is through agriculture. Nigeria and Ukraine has a lot in common to share, both in business and knowledge potentials.
This partnership, the Minister said will translate to improve agricultural development in the area of food processing, packaging and high technology driven mechanized farming which will greatly enhance the Nation’s quest for self-sufficing of some crops like rice in 2018, this no doubt will grow our economy.
Speaking further, Lokpobiri emphasized that Nigeria is fully interested in processing agriculture and so-we are willing to promote this Cooperation with Ukraine to ensure improved mechanization and also increased local production will be encouraged.
He also hinted that Nigeria will be glad to see Ukraine setting up some fertilizer factories in Nigeria, this will create jobs and improve production, with improved production and adequate post-harvest storage facilities and drastically reduced post-harvest losses, our economy will grow and wealth creation will be the ultimate result of individual and collective satisfaction.
Earlier, Aleksandruk said they shall be looking forward to foster a more profitable cooperation of bilateral trade relationship with Nigeria. Also a member of the Ukrainea’s team, Mr. VitaliiPoliakou the Economic and Trade Adviser from Ukraine promised to introduce Nigerian rich Green Alternative Programmes to his country and that they shall be willing to share knowledge and also train our farmers on best farming method of using tractors and mechanization alongside best method of food processing and packaging- this will greatly reduce post-harvest losses and automatically increase our economic power.
