India has proposed a broader agricultural partnership with Nigeria aimed at reducing post harvest losses, improving food processing and modernising livestock production.
Indian High Commissioner Abishek Singh announced the initiative at the India Nigeria Trade Forum on Agriculture and Allied Sector in Abuja.
He said Nigeria loses a large share of agricultural output because of inadequate storage, weak logistics, limited processing capacity and inefficient value chains.
India is offering support in climate smart agriculture, mechanisation, irrigation, food preservation, cold storage, packaging, fertiliser production and high yield crop varieties.
Singh said Indian agritech companies were also prepared to provide digital solutions, technical training and investment support.
The proposed cooperation would extend to livestock and dairy production through improved breeding, artificial insemination and cooperative farming models.
India is already working with Jigawa State on livestock modernisation and has submitted a proposed agricultural cooperation agreement to the Federal Government.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari welcomed the initiative and said international partnerships could help Nigeria create jobs, improve productivity and strengthen food security.
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry also said closer ties with India could accelerate mechanisation, research, agro processing and technology transfer.
The proposed partnership comes as Nigeria continues to face high food prices, weak storage infrastructure and significant losses between farms and consumers.
