Netherlands, Nigeria collaborate to enhance food security
The Netherlands has collaborated with Nigeria to boost the West African country’s agricultural sector and ensure food security through various intervention programmes.
Recognising the role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy, Netherlands says it is focusing on sustainable and gender-inclusive practices to foster growth and resilience in the sector.
During a press parley in Abuja on Thursday, Netherlands ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp, shared comprehensive approaches mapped out to achieve the vision.
This strategy, known as the Dutch Diamond Approach, addresses the entire food system, emphasising sectors like seed development and horticulture where Dutch expertise can make a significant impact.
Mr Plomp said one of the key initiatives is the Netherlands-Nigeria Seed Partnership, aimed to improve access to quality seeds and enhance crop productivity.
He said that through the Collaborative Seed Programme (CSP 2020-2024), the Netherlands is working closely with the National Agricultural Seeds Council to develop a seed sector development strategy, reaching 43 per cent and 46 per cent of targets for female and youth farmers in seed company marketing and promotion, and promoting inclusivity across various topics.
According to him, the Netherlands is upgrading the seed tracker software to include maize and rice tracking information, and enhancing seed traceability and management.
The ambassador stated that over 5,876 farmers are currently being trained by 13 seed companies on improved varieties and good agricultural practices, and empowering them to adopt sustainable farming techniques.
He said that 45 demonstration plots are being established in Kano and Kaduna to showcase improved seed varieties for rice, maize, sorghum, tomatoes, peppers, and cabbage to foster knowledge-sharing and adoption among farmers and seed companies.
Mr Plomp said that through the initiatives, Netherlands aims to contribute to a resilient Nigerian food system that provides sufficient healthy food, creates job opportunities, and respects the natural environment by leveraging expertise and fostering collaboration.
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