To transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) (previously SG2000) have agreed to work together.
The institutions made the assurance during a courtesy visit by their Country Director of SAA, Dr. Godwin Atser, to the embassy in Abuja.
They claim that the goal of the reaffirmed commitment is to use Japanese technologies, such as information and communication technologies (ICTs), to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural systems.
Ambassador Kazuyoshi Matsunaga recognized the important role SAA has played in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular while receiving the country director.
The gathering was strategic because Nigeria is focusing more on agriculture to help her people escape poverty and generate wealth.
Atser emphasized that although agriculture has a lot of potential, it has not yet been fully realized and that this is largely due to a lackluster public extension architecture that prevents most improved technologies from reaching farmers.
The ambassador pledged to support SAA activities in Nigeria and added that Nigeria’s high internet penetration rate could be used to the country’s advantage for agricultural growth.
The ambassador pointed out that agricultural mechanization technologies could lessen drudgery, increase output, and increase the effectiveness of farmers in Nigeria.
He emphasized the necessity of collaboration between the private sector in Nigeria and Japanese businesses to facilitate the necessary transfer of technologies to both nations.
