Birnin Kebbi, April 4, 2025 – Mr. Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture in Ghana, says Ghana is seeking partnership with Kebbi State of Nigeria to boost its food production.
He said the new administration in Ghana was seeking the partnership to find solutions to food production challenges in the country.
The minister said this in Birnin Kebbi at the weekend during a courtesy call on Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State.
He said Ghana had fertile land and abundant water to support local production of rice, a reason he was mandated to visit Nigeria to understudy the rice plantations and mills for the country to achieve food self-sufficiency.
Opoku said the new government in Ghana inherited huge import bill on the rice importation which prompted the government to seek ways of boosting rice production.
Responding, Tafida said Kebbi state had maintained its leading position in rice and wheat production in Nigeria due to its all-year-round arable land and abundant water bodies.
He commended the state Gov.Nasir Idris for his commitment to agricultural development and industrialization and for providing free fertilizers, water pumps, agrochemicals, and improved seeds to farmers.
He expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with Ghana in areas of agriculture, culture, and tourism.
“Kebbi State is open to partnerships with Ghana, especially in agriculture. In addition to agriculture, the state is blessed with solid mineral resources such as gold and lithium, ready for exploration,” Tafida said. (GBN)
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