The Ambassador of Belarus to Nigeria, Vyyacheslav Bril, has said the eastern European country is looking to partner with Nigeria in the area of agriculture, as part of efforts to boost food security in Africa’s most populous country. The Ambassador was speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris at his office in Radio House, Abuja.
Ambassador Bril said that Belarus had a deep agricultural experience that has led to trade with new markets in Africa. As a result, the Ambassador said; “Belarus was looking to move forward on the continent by partnering with Nigeria in the area of food security. We can assist Nigeria with cattle farms, food processing plants, storage facilities many other things”, the Ambassador said, stressing that the strength of Belarus in terms of mechanisation of agriculture can be deployed in boosting Nigeria’s food security efforts.
Bril said that the Republic of Belarus had a strong export-oriented agriculture sector, noting that Belarus accounts for almost 30% of global fertilizer production, which is very important for food security in the world. His country, he said, has had long and fruitful relations with Nigeria since 1992. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris welcomed the offer of agriculture partnership with Belarus, saying Nigeria is ready to work with the country to boost food security in Nigeria. Idris said; “We have the arable land and we have the people. What we lack is the technology and the necessary investment in the value chain. And this is where we want Belarus to come in to help Nigeria. I’m sure that the Nigerian government is ever ready to cooperate in that regard”.
