Nigeria Partners Thailand on Agricultural Cooperative Innovation

News in Brief:

— Nigerian agricultural researchers and Thai institutions have joined hands in a new partnership on research, technology transfer, capacity development and knowledge exchange.

— The collaboration offers researchers, farmers, students and agribusinesses access to modern technologies, innovations and resources to boost productivity and food security.

Nigeria and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and launched the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) initiative in Lagos. During the signing, the executive secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) called for stronger partnerships to drive more agricultural development in Nigeria.

Dabban declared that stronger partnerships between institutions in both countries could create opportunities for researchers, farmers and other agricultural stakeholders to easily access innovative methods and practical solutions to Nigeria’s food insecurity.

TICA To Focus On Practical Benefits

The Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, Dr Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu, also outlined the potential beneficiaries of the partnership.

Speaking on the “Insights into the Thai-Nigeria Collaborative Framework,” Obidiegwu stated that the initiative would target host communities, cooperative societies, private sector players, among others.

He said the ARCN should ensure this new partnership goes beyond institutional cooperation to deliver practical benefits across all parts of Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

The Nigeria-Thailand collaboration will support agricultural research, technology transfer, capacity building and agricultural entrepreneurship between the two countries. He highlighted the history of engagement and communication between Nigeria and Thailand that preceded the collaboration.

The partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s food security agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.