Vietnam ready to share experience in agriculture with Nigeria

During a visit to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Quynh said that Vietnam had transited from a country that had suffered from food shortage to the second largest exporter of rice. Vietnam has sent experts to some African countries in the bilateral framework as well as of tri-lateral co-operation (between Vietnam, an African country and FAO). He said that Vietnam’s agricultural techniques were suitable to Nigeria and afffirmed that Vietnam was ready to share its experience in agriculture production with Nigeria. “We have come here to talk about how we can co-operate with you, using our vast experience in agriculture development,” he said.

For his part, acting managing director of the NDDC, Power Aginighan, welcomed the involvment of Vietnam in the joint venture between NDDC and T44 Agritech to help local people develop agriculture.  He said “We are very delighted about your participation in rice cultivation in the Niger Delta.”Mr Power Aginighan also expressed his hope that Vietnamese experts would come to help local people in agriculture development. He said that although the region was rich in natural resources, especially in oil, poverty rate  was still high  with 70% of population living under poverty line. That was why the Nigerian government has set up NDDC to help develop the region.

According to Mr. Sample Ibemerum,  the Group Operations and Project Development Director of T4M Agritech, the joint venture is expected to ensure food security, provide jobs, reduce poverty and facilitate sustainable development through cultivation of rice, cassava and other crops in the region.

During their stay in Nigeria, the Vietnamese delegation also met Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Timipre Sylva, the Bayelsa State’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Water Resource, and inspected a rice mill at Elele in Rivers State, a land site for rice cultivation and flats for Vietnamese experts and workers who will work for the joint venture./.