Janet Samuel, Abuja
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jian Chun has promised that it’s govt will continue to develop a modernized agricultural sector in Nigeria to boost the farm product to a world Standard
The Envoy made the promise at the official handing over ceremony of the China-aid Agricultural Demonstration Center in Abuja.
The construction of the agricultural center that commenced on the 18th of March, 2021 and completed on the 15th of October, 2022 with the total cost of over 2.8 billion naira, would help introduce advanced agricultural technology and attract agricultural investment in and around the world.
The Ambassador noted that Nigeria-China relationship can be strengthened through agriculture which he said could lift millions Nigerians out of poverty thereby reduce the poverty rate of the country.
According to him, “Wirhiout agriculture the whole society cannot be stable and without industry there will not be development, saying that Nigeria needs technology, Mechanization, high yield seeds and information technology among others, hoping that the donated centre will help to achieve the desired goal in future
The Ambassador maintained that his first interest as an ambassador is security, adding that the embassy is working with security agencies to improve on the current situation of the country .
He noted that China had “done a lot in electricity, saying ” we are moving to the agricultural sector.
“Last July, I presented my strategy, called the Nigeria-China 5G GDP strategy and today I am proud to share with you the 5G political and economic cooperation, military and security collaboration, international affairs coordination and people-to-people communication,”
Mr Jian Chun explained that China “achieved a lot in the infrastructure, ICT, industry, investment and import-export” from the Ogun and Lagos foreign trade zone, and in Edo, “we have a lot of industrial parks and the first trade zone there.”
“After my visit to those states, I found out that we are blooming and boosting this industry in Nigeria. We have delivered a tangible result to the people of Nigeria and also deepened and broadened the cooperation between the two countries.”
He said that “We have accomplished our first centenary goal last year, we have lifted more than 7oomillion people out of poverty, adding that China in it’s second centenary goal will build a prosperious country in the coming 20;years as the two country work together.
The envoy explained that Nigeria-China relationship can be strengthened through agriculture which he said could lift millions of people out of poverty.
Jian chun said, “Today’s event is really very important not only to Nigeria but also to the whole African continent. It is about technology, investment, high yield seeds, and mechanisation. So the Chinese government is supporting Nigeria to develop modernised agriculture. We need machines and technology.
“This demonstration centre, does not only give opportunity to farmers and government officials, but it will help deepen and broaden relationships between both countries.
“China and Nigeria have no fundamental problems. We are just looking at how we can work together. One of the best ways of doing that is through agriculture which will lift millions of people out of poverty.”
Earlier in his welcoming speech, the Deputy Managing Director of the CRCC14, General contractor to the center said, their company will be responsible for the operation of the center and promised to work closely with the ministry of agriculture for flow of operation,
In his speech, the Minister of state for finance, budget and national planning, prince Clem Agba who was Represented by Fatima Sheji of the international corporation Dept of the ministry said the center will help the locals acquire skills that will aid local famers to boost agriculture in Nigeria, thereby provide employment opportunity to the teeming youths
Speaking also at the handing over ceremony, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, represented by the acting permanent secretary of the Ministry, Udoh Daniel, promised that Nigerians would make good use of the centre for a more productive agricultural sector.
“China and Nigeria share a long standing good friendship and cooperation and this has led to the witnessing of rapid and remarkable achievements among the two countries in the area of bi-lateral co-operation in trade and other fields of life.
“Nigeria is noted to be a large and leading agricultural economy and therefore has a pressing need for an agricultural technology and development centre especially for the youths.
“This is what the Chinese government has seen that led to the establishment of the centre that is being handed over today.
“The centre will help the beneficiaries to move from small scale production model to specialized production agricultural model and also from extensive farming to intensive production. I assure you that the Nigerian government will make good use of the centre for a more productive agricultural sector
China-Aid Demonstration Centre donated includes agricultural technology training centre, agricultural technology research and service centre, agro-input and machinery exhibition, small scale agro-processing technology exhibition centre, power centre, photovoltaic pump water-saving irrigation system, farmland demonstration areas as well as an access road among others.
