News in brief:
– Plateau State signs a partnership with Israel to boost livestock farming and eliminate food waste.
– The partnership mainly involves agricultural technology and knowledge sharing between the two governments.
Plateau State government has entered an agricultural partnership with the State of Israel to eliminate food waste and transform livestock farming in the state. It will leverage Israel’s world-class food storage technologies and rich experience in animal husbandry and dairy farming to eliminate food waste and improve livestock farming.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang announced the partnership during a courtesy visit from Israeli Ambassador, Michael Freeman to Jos, where they forged a strategic partnership to transform the state’s agriculture, technology, and healthcare sectors.
The Governor expressed optimism for the potential benefits of the partnership, as he underscored his administration’s priority to revolutionise Plateau’s agricultural sector to meet local needs and become a major global player in food exports.
Solving food waste problem, boosting livestock farming
Food wastage is a significant challenge to the Nigerian agriculture sector, as about 40% of annual food production is lost to food wastage. This approximately amounts to 100 million tonnes of food per year, enough to feed 40 million people, and further contribute to the risen food insecurity in the country.
Governor Mutfwang expressed a keen interest in addressing the persistent challenge of food storage and preservation in Plateau State. He is trusting in the partnership to minimise food waste and increase the value of agricultural produce in the state.
“In many respects, Plateau State and Israel have similar weather patterns and topography, and we are blessed with abundant natural resources,” he stated. “However, we recognise the challenges in storage and preservation, and we are eager to leverage Israel’s expertise in these areas to maximise productivity.”
Pointing out the vast resources and potential of the state for livestock farming, Plateau State wants to leverage Israel’s experience in animal husbandry and dairy farming to boost its livestock farming sector.
“We are committed to revitalising our livestock sector, and Israel’s advanced animal husbandry techniques will be invaluable in achieving this. The goal is not just to meet local demand but to position Plateau as a leading producer of meat and dairy in the state,” the governor declared.
Israel promises to help develop Plateau’s agricultural sector.
The representative of the State of Israel, Ambassador Michael Freeman, is confident that the partnership would pave the way for the development of Plateau State’s agricultural sector.
In his remarks, Ambassador Freeman boasted of Israel’s extensive experience in agricultural technologies and innovation, especially the pioneering drip irrigation system that has revolutionised farming in arid regions.
He stressed that Israel’s expertise in sustainable agricultural practices, such as drip irrigation, can offer Plateau State an opportunity to improve food production while conserving vital water resources. He cited how Israel has successfully used drip irrigation to reduce water consumption in rice farming, transforming the agricultural landscape.
“Drip irrigation has transformed agriculture, especially in water-scarce regions. For instance, in rice farming, this method cuts water usage from 5,000–6,000 liters per kilogram to just 1,500 liters. Implementing such innovative solutions in Plateau State will enhance food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and drive economic development,” the Ambassador explained.
He further assured the governor of Israel’s commitment to providing Plateau State with access to state-of-the-art technologies and to engaging in a robust exchange of knowledge that will drive long-term prosperity in the state.
