The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector and improving the wider aquatic value chain.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, gave the assurance when she received a delegation from Partners of the Americas, the implementing partner for the USDA Food for Progress Programme in Nigeria, led by Gustavo Galdo, in Abuja.
A statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, said Mahmood described the programme as a strategic intervention capable of supporting the development of Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.
She assured the delegation that the ministry would provide the policy guidance, institutional support and coordination required for effective implementation.
Mahmood said developing the fisheries and aquaculture sector was critical to Nigeria’s food security ambitions because of its potential to increase domestic fish production, improve livelihoods and create opportunities across the value chain.
She also stressed the Federal Government’s broader commitment to using the blue economy to drive food security, employment, poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.
According to her, the ministry would work with Partners of the Americas and other development partners to ensure the programme complements existing government initiatives and produces measurable benefits for fishers, aquaculture operators, processors, marketers and other value-chain participants.
Programme Targets Productivity And Market Access
Galdo, who introduced the USDA Food for Progress Nigeria Programme to the ministry, outlined its objectives, implementation strategy and expected outcomes.
He said the programme is designed to improve agricultural productivity and expand trade in developing countries, with its focus on Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector expected to support livelihoods, increase access to protein and strengthen the resilience of food systems.
He identified improved access to quality inputs and finance, stronger market systems, increased productivity and greater private-sector participation as key areas of intervention.
Galdo also disclosed that baseline studies were underway to provide evidence for targeted interventions and ensure the programme addresses identified gaps and opportunities within the sector.
He sought continued engagement and institutional guidance from the ministry to keep the programme aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities and support the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of collaboration, particularly in tackling productivity gaps, financing constraints, limited market access and policy challenges affecting the sector’s growth and competitiveness.
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