Mrs. Folashade Joseph, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC),made an appeal for collaboration between the UAE and Nigeria in the implementation of cuttingedge agricultural methods and cuttingedge technologies such as hydroponics, vertical farming and regulated the environment agriculture.
On Monday in Abuja, Mrs. Joseph welcomed a group from the United Arab Emirates and stated that the Corporation was totally dedicated to assisting with projects that advance agricultural development, improve food security and fortify the resilience of Nigerian farmers, particularly those who are smallholders.
The Corporation believes that by working together and combining our strengths, we can have a bigger influence and make major progress towards achieving the goals of agricultural development and food security in both of our countries. As such, the Corporation is prepared to have productive conversations in order to find specific opportunities for partnership with the UAE.
"Food security is a significant challenge, but I am full of hope and optimism that we can overcome it together with our collective commitment, creative thinking and strategic collaboration to ensure that safe and nutritious food is easily accessible to our citizens," the speaker stated.
She informed the delegation that during the previous five years, the Corporation has covered N1.014 trillion in agricultural costs in Nigeria.
According to Mrs. Joseph, the group received around N8.56 billion in insurance premiums during the time under review, covering 1.25 million farmers.
As stated by her, the Corporation contacted over 516,000 farming communities through its sensitisation programs and resolved claims totalling over N3.08 billion.
As a result, the Corporation is steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling its goal of raising agricultural productivity in order to achieve food security and advance Nigeria's general development.
She stated, "It is crucial to stress that the Corporation is committed to consistently lowering the risks connected with agricultural investments in the nation."
Food security, economic growth and job creation, poverty eradication, inclusion, security, and access to capital across all sectors are the goals of the commission's programs, according to her.
In response, Khalid Al Mannaei, the head of the UAE delegation and CEO of the Vice President's Office for Political Affairs in the Kingdom of the UAE, stated that they were in Nigeria to hold talks and look into potential partnerships and collaborations with important figures in key economic sectors, such as the agricultural sector.
He continued by saying that a number of bilateral agreements intended to promote mutually beneficial collaboration between the two nations will be the result of the discussions and deliberations.