Kebbi State government has indicated readiness to enter into rewarding mutual partnership with Egypt on agricultural development and livestock production.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made this known while receiving Egyptian experts who visited him at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, this Friday.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu told his guests that the administration believed in partnership and cooperation as essential ingredients for development, saying that Kebbi state has been endowed with high agricultural potential and rated as the second most livestock producing state in Nigeria.
In addition, the state has become the gateway to West Africa in animal husbandry due to its strategic location of sharing boundary with both the Republic of Niger and Benin Republic.
Already, he said, Kebbi State has signed a tripartite agreement with Kwanni in Niger Republic and Maleville in the Republic of Benin on the development of animal husbandry.
The governor described the people of Kebbi state as hardworking and ready to imbibe modern methods on agricultural and livestock production.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu commended the National President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN, Alhaji Aminu Goroyo for facilitating the visit of the Egyptian experts to the state and preparing ground for joint mutual cooperation in the agricultural sector.
The governor made it clear that the President-elect of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to build upon the achievement on agricultural revival for food security initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari at the national level while the governor-elect for Kebbi state, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has affirmed similar commitment to strengthen the agricultural revolution started by incumbent administration at state level.
The National President of RIFAN, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, has earlier informed the governor that the Egyptian experts led by General Walid Yahia Soliman Morsy, were in Kebbi state for partnership on agricultural development.
Alhaji Aminu Goronyo indicated that the experts would develop about nine hundred kilometers of Fadama land in the state through the process of training of farmers, application of modern farming method, technology and expertise.
The RIFAN leader commended, Governor Atiku Bagudu in his capacity as Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council for developing the agricultural sector by making it possible for small scale and other farmers to access finance and farming input that led to increase in yields and economic prosperity.
Alhaji Aminu Goronyo said the Egyptian professionals were highly impressed about the giant strides recorded in the sector during the tenure of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu which encouraged them to seek for partnership with the government for consolidation and continuity.
He announced that the team would also visit Lagos, Ogun and Calabar in Cross River state for similar venture.
In an interview with newsmen shortly after meeting with the governor, the Egyptian team leader,
General Walid Yahia Soliman Morsy, told journalist that they were in tbe State for joint partnership with Kebbi State Government to explore areas of interest in Agriculture and Livestock production.
