The Federal Government has pledged its support for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress Programme in Nigeria, aimed at improving the country’s fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Mahmood, gave the assurance when she received a delegation from Partners of the Americas, the programme’s implementing partner in Nigeria, led by Gustavo Galdo, in Abuja.
Mahmood said the government was ready to provide the policy guidance, institutional support and coordination required to facilitate the effective implementation of the programme.
She described the initiative as a strategic intervention with the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector and improve its contribution to the national economy.
According to a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, the permanent secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the programme.
Galdo said the Food for Progress Programme was designed to improve agricultural productivity and expand trade in developing countries.
He said its focus on fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria would help improve livelihoods, increase access to protein and contribute to the development of more resilient food systems.
Galdo added that baseline studies were already underway to generate evidence that would guide targeted interventions under the programme.
He said the studies would also help ensure that programme activities were aligned with identified gaps and opportunities within Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
