Ghanaian agricultural firm, Jospong group of companies and it’s Nigerian counterpart, EGTA Investment Limited, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support rice, beans, cereals and others grains production across Nigeria and Ghana.
The MoU signing took place at the Ghanaian High Commission,in Abuja yesterday,with a commitment to leverage collaboration to effectively transform the agricultural sector.
Speaking on the collaboration, the group managing director, EGTA Investment Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim said, “the main purpose of the MoU is to create a framework between Jospong and EGTA Limited. The areas of this cooperation are in production of agricultural commodities.
“We are beginning with a few cereals, mainly rice,the other areas of collaboration is technical, financial and investment.And the third area is training and capacity building.”
Under the partnership, EGTA and Jospong will collaborate on areas related to technical know how and personnel, across the two countries in order to strengthen the cooperation.
Lead coordinator,Jospong rice project Ghana, George Blavo,stated that through government policies,and private sector initiatives, Nigeria has become a net producer of rice in Africa.
“Currently Nigeria produces about eight million metric tonnes of rice, which makes you the largest producer in Africa.Ghana is a net importer of rice and we want to change that narrative and follow the Nigerian success story,by learning how Nigeria was able to do it.”
He added that both countries will also collaborate on technical abilities and capacity-building initiatives in the area of millers, irrigation experts, farmers and operators who will work hand in hand with local farmers.
