By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress Programme in Nigeria, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention capable of strengthening the country’s fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, stated this on Tuesday when she received a delegation from Partners of the Americas, the implementing partner for the USDA Food for Progress Programme in Nigeria, led by Mr Gustavo Galdo, in Abuja.
Mahmood assured the delegation that the ministry would provide the necessary policy guidance, institutional support and coordination to facilitate the effective implementation of the programme.
She said the Federal Government was committed to unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy to drive food security, employment generation, poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.
According to her, strengthening the fisheries and aquaculture sector remains critical to Nigeria’s food security objectives because of its capacity to increase domestic fish production, improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities across the value chain.
The Permanent Secretary further pledged that the ministry would work closely with Partners of the Americas and other development partners to ensure that the programme complements existing Federal Government initiatives and delivers measurable benefits to fishers, aquaculture operators, processors, marketers and other value-chain actors.
Earlier, Galdo introduced the USDA Food for Progress Nigeria Programme to the ministry, outlining its objectives, implementation strategy and expected outcomes, with emphasis on improving productivity, strengthening resilience and promoting sustainable growth in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
He explained that the programme was designed to enhance agricultural productivity and expand trade in developing countries, adding that its focus on fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria would contribute to improved livelihoods, increased access to protein and the development of more resilient food systems.
Galdo identified improved access to quality inputs and finance, strengthened market systems, enhanced productivity and increased private-sector participation as key areas of intervention under the programme.
He also disclosed that baseline studies were underway to provide the evidence needed to guide targeted interventions and ensure that programme activities effectively address identified gaps and opportunities within the sector.
Galdo sought the ministry’s continued engagement and institutional guidance to ensure that the programme remains aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities and contributes to the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to explore areas of collaboration and strengthen alignment with the ministry’s strategic priorities, particularly in tackling productivity gaps, financing constraints, limited market access and policy bottlenecks affecting the competitiveness and sustainable growth of Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
