Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), has entered into a transformative partnership with Brazil's Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) to revolutionize agriculture in Nigeria's 774 local government areas (LGAs).
According to a statement today by Abiodun Oladunjoye, director (information & public relations), the partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at FGV Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit.
The MoU, signed by FMAFS Permanent Secretary Mr. Temitope Fashedemi and FGV President Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, aims to advance private-sector-driven development in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural financing. This initiative builds on the Green Imperative Project (GIP), a $1.2 billion collaborative effort launched in 2018 to modernize Nigeria’s agricultural sector using Brazilian expertise in tropical agriculture.
Boosting Agribusiness Nationwide
The MoU marks a significant milestone in the ongoing Green Imperative Project, which has been lauded as one of the largest international agricultural technology transfer initiatives. Over the next five years, the project will target and support one agribusiness in each of Nigeria's 774 LGAs. Beneficiaries will receive technical and financial resources to enhance sustainable agricultural practices and drive economic growth.
FMAFS Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi emphasized the importance of the collaboration:
"This partnership paves the way for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural sector. Together with FGV, we are poised to unlock the potential of private sector investment in key areas critical to our food security."
Key Objectives of the MoU
The agreement focuses on three pivotal areas:
Fertiliser Production – Strengthening local production to reduce dependence on imports and lower costs for farmers.
Hybrid Seed Technology – Introducing high-yield, climate-resilient crop varieties tailored to Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Agricultural Finance – Facilitating access to financial resources for agribusinesses, with the private sector expected to attract an estimated $4.3 billion in investments.
Green Imperative Project: A Decade of Transformation
Since its conception, the Green Imperative Project has prioritized modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain through strategic partnerships and knowledge transfer. Supported by Deutsche Bank, the project spans 10 years and is designed to deliver cutting-edge agricultural technologies, improve productivity, and create jobs in rural communities.
Strategic Impact
The initiative is expected to address critical challenges in Nigeria's agricultural sector, including low productivity, limited access to quality inputs, and financial constraints. By focusing on private-sector engagement, the MoU seeks to create a more resilient agricultural economy, boost food security, and position Nigeria as a leader in agribusiness in Africa.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from Nigeria’s Presidency, FMAFS representatives, and FGV leadership, reflecting the high-level commitment to the initiative.
Looking Ahead
As implementation begins, the partnership between Nigeria and Brazil through the Green Imperative Project is poised to deliver lasting benefits, ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
