The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has earmarked $6m to support Nigeria’s push for food sustenance through the production of rice and cassava.
This was disclosed at the inauguration of the State Partnership for Agriculture by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Foundation.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, James Nyoro said the move is to enable Nigeria move from importer to exporter of food.
He disclosed that Kaduna, Benue and Kogi states have been picked to pilot the project.
“For us at the Bill and Melinda Foundation, the programme is going to be a catalytic in helping the Nigerian government to achieve IRS vision for food security, reduce food imports and increase agriculture productivity so that they can raise many millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“Therefore, one of the areas we are going to help is state partnership because we do know that action takes place at the state level.
That is where innovations are tested, whether you are talking about cassava processing and marketing or whether you are talking about rice.
