Nigerian agric sector gets US support

US Department of Agriculture and US regional agricultural counsellor in Nigeria, Kurt Seifarth, yesterday, restated his government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in the development of her agriculture sector.

Seifarth disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on the sidelines of a day interactive conference with Nigeria’s retail food business operators.

The US official said that his government had concluded arrangement to assist more Nigerian farmers in “priority areas” so far identified by the Nigerian government.

“From my experience around the world, all countries are developing their agricultural resources based on their priorities. And Nigeria is among those countries that have the possibility of being a very strong agricultural products producer.

“We are, therefore, ready to provide the needed technical assistance to Nigerian farmers in the priority areas the government has identified,’’ he said.

Seifarth said it was imperative for his government to support the farmers in overcoming their current challenges, saying it was imperative for Nigeria to sustain her food safety laws, overall framework for producing fruits, as well as develop her poultry farming system.

The US Department of Agriculture is the US Federal Executive Department responsible for developing and executing the government’s policy on farming, agriculture, forestry and food.

It was set up to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety and protect natural resources.

The Department is to foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and internationally.