Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria has deployed over half a billion dollars to speed up development of the country’s agro-value chain and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones
The food security initiative is funded through domestic resources, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, climate funds and revenues from leading agro-businesses
Vice President Shettima disclosed this while chairing a high-level meeting of the UN Food Systems Summit declared open in Rome, Italy by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
The Nigerian number two citizen who is representing President Bola Tinubu at the summit explained that the Government of Nigeria will be showcasing its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) as a unique example of a successful partnership between producers, the public sector and private operators.
“The Value Chain Development Programme which is co-funded by Nigeria and IFAD has empowered vulnerable farmers and youth to engage into commercial partnerships with some of the biggest food processing and marketing firms in the world”, Shettima added.
While featuring in the panel discussions alongside Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua; and Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ouhoudou Mahamadou, the Nigerian Vice President said President Tinubu is determined to transforming the concept and meaning of modern governance by demonstrating commitment towards the food system in the country.
He noted that the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria has since hit the ground running from day one and has, therefore, declared state of emergency on food security and took it as a livelihood item within the National Security Council.
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Vice President Shettima also had a bilateral meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders discussed issues of mutual interest for both countries.
The Vice President was accompanied to the meeting by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Italy, Mfawa Abam, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia and other senior government officials.
(EDITOR: TIENABESO BIBIYE)
