PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Ambassador Says Agriculture Key to Nigeria Economic Growth At National Week Event

Date: February 12, 2009
Venue: Markurdi, Benue State

Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders congratulating Mrs. Dorcas Tar, Chairperson of the USAID/MARKETS Olam Farmers Group Leaders

U.S. Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders on February 12 visited rice farmers, suppliers, buyers and processors who are beneficiaries of a U.S. Government program through an Olam Nigeria-USAID public-private partnership in Makurdi, Benue State. This U.S. Government program promotes commercial agricultural through USAID’s implementing partner, Maximizing Agriculture Revenue and Key Enterprises for Target Sites (MARKETS). 

In her remarks to participants, Ambassador Sanders said this partnership "shows the power that the private sector has to help in agriculture and transform the lives of Nigerian farmers and increase their incomes; and the importance my government places on helping Nigeria's agriculture sector.  Even though Nigeria is the largest net importer of rice on the African continent and the second largest importer in the world, we are encouraging more Nigerians to take up rice farming."

This event is one of the Ambassador's kick-off events of American National Week in Nigeria with Nigerian Ministries, State and local governments, civil society, and private sector partners.  American National Week focuses on how the USG is working to be a partner to foster democratic governance, promote peace and security, improve human development and accelerate economic growth, particularly to ensure food security and reduce poverty.  American National Week runs from February 11-20 in Abuja and February 22-28 in Lagos.

In 2009, USAID will provide about $30 million to support the Government of Nigeria’s food security goals for the year. Nigerians consume over five million metric tons of rice worth about $5 billion annually. Approximately two million metric tons is imported yearly, making Nigeria the largest net importer of rice on the African continent and the second largest importer in the world. 

The Unites States Mission to Nigeria is dedicated to partnering with federal, state, and local governments, civil society organizations, and the business community to strengthen the agricultural enabling environment.  Economic growth is one of the central pillars of the United States' Framework for Partnership with Nigeria.