Imported User:
The World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (ADB) have approved 1.23 billion dollars to boost food production in Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, stated this in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents on the activities of the ministry.
He said 900 million dollars was approved by the World Bank, 250 million dollars by ADBand 80 million dollars by IFAD.
He said that 500 million dollars of the 900 million dollars obtained from the World Bank was meant for agriculture, while 400 million dollars would support water and irrigation projects.
‘‘The international community is rallying round our efforts.
‘‘As you know, the World Bank has agreed to invest 900 million dollars behind agricultural transformation in Nigeria, 500 million dollars for agriculture and 400 million dollars for water and irrigation.
‘‘The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), their board has approved the release of 80 million dollars to Nigeria to support the agricultural transformation going on in Nigeria.
‘‘The African Development Bank is considering 250 million dollars in support of the transformation agenda on agriculture,’’ the minister said.
According to him, Bill Gates, an American billionaire and philanthropist, has agreed to sit on the eminent persons group to advise President Goodluck Jonathan on matters concerning agriculture and health.
