Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Russia, Nigeria Forge Stronger Agricultural Partnership


(MENAFN) Russia and Nigeria formalized a new alliance focused on seed production and crop breeding during the 27th Golden Autumn Agro-Industrial Exhibition in Moscow on Wednesday. The deal was inked at the West African collective stand, which included representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo.

Vyacheslav Lukomets, director of Russia’s P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Center, and Ayodeji Oludare Sotinrin, director general of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, signed the memorandum of understanding.

“Science lies at the core of all development processes,” Lukomets stated, highlighting that the collaboration originated from business leaders who recognized the necessity of scientific input for effective cooperation.

Speaking to African Initiative, Sotinrin praised Russia as “one of the world leaders in seed production,” stressing Nigeria’s ambition to “become an equal partner through a knowledge-sharing alliance.” He added, “We believe in the effectiveness of this partnership and in the mutual exchange of knowledge.”

Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Andrey Razin reiterated Moscow’s dedication to strengthening ties with African nations to enhance food security and sustainable agriculture. “We [Russia] are ready to work with the African continent – both by supplying our products and purchasing a range of goods that interest us, such as coffee, tea, flowers, fruits, and many other items that can find their consumers in our large market,” Razin said.

The Golden Autumn Exhibition, hosted by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, runs from October 8 to 11 and serves as a platform for deepening agricultural partnerships.

This agreement aligns with Russia’s broader engagement in Africa’s agricultural sector, combining commercial exports with humanitarian aid. In July, Burkina Faso received over 700 tons of yellow split peas from Russia as food assistance.

According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Russia’s agricultural exports to Africa reached more than $7 billion in 2024—a 19% increase from the previous year. Russian food products are distributed across 45 African countries, with Egypt remaining the largest importer of Russian wheat.

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