In a significant move to strengthen agricultural skills and production, China has trained over 400 Nigerian officials in advanced rice cultivation techniques. This training was part of the Green Agriculture West Africa Limited initiative, established by China to bolster agricultural exchange and cooperation.
The Chinese Embassy reported that this initiative aligns with efforts to deepen China-Nigeria agricultural ties. Since 2016, Green Agriculture West Africa Limited has hosted numerous training programs focusing on advanced agricultural practices. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enhancing food security and technical knowledge in Nigeria.
Further cementing this partnership, the company has established seven seed production cooperatives in Nigeria. These cooperatives engage over 5,000 smallholder farmers, improving local rice and maize seed production through intensive training.
With a capacity to produce over 10,000 metric tonnes of seeds annually, the company’s impact on Nigeria’s agriculture is substantial. Its high-yield rice variety, GAWAL R1, outperforms popular local varieties by over 30% in yield.
The collaboration has also led to the creation of the CGCOC Agriculture High-tech Abuja Industrial Park. This park not only supports Nigeria’s food security ambitions but also houses the China-Aid Nigerian Agriculture Technology Demonstration Centre, completed in December 2022.
The continuous training and development signify a strong China-Nigeria synergy aimed at advancing agricultural productivity and innovation.
