Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President, has revealed that the Federal Government plans to allocate $200 million dollars for the creation of around 780 Agricultural Service Centres as catalysts for training and equipment sharing, under the Nigeria-Brazil bilateral development programme.
The Vice President disclosed this at the 4th 2021 Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS21) held at the Congress Hall, the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
He added that the FG launched a scheme called the Green Imperative Nigeria-Brazil Bilateral Development Programme to boost Nigeria’s agriculture productivity and to sustain the economy through the use of Brazilian technology for the development of agricultural mechanization, according to a report by Nairametrics
Osinbajo who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha said, “The Green Imperative is part of the foreign agenda of both countries, thus representing a worthy cooperation initiative for a duration of 10 years with long term goals for food security, expanded job growth and, ultimately boost food production and household incomes in Nigeria.”
“The project will have over two phases of implementation. The first phase will be the allocation of over $200 million dollars for the creation of around 780 Agricultural Service Centres as catalysts for training and equipment sharing.
READ ALSO: Why I did not honour Osibanjo’s invitation -Mr. Macaroni
“While the second phase will be technology transfer from Brazil to Nigeria via the commercialisation of agricultural equipment and inputs such as tractors, planters, seeders, fertilisers and pesticides.
“This programme will provide another veritable avenue for investments and engagement by the Diaspora for sustainable outcomes. Recovering the economy of the nation cannot be achieved by the government alone.
“We need the partnership and deep involvement of the Diaspora and foreign investors, among others, investing in local businesses to boost and diversify the economy.”
He told diaspora investors that the FG is committed to ensuring that their investments are not only secure but that they get a good rate of return on the investments they make while basking in the glow of being contributors to the growth of business and development of the nation.