Promoting innovation, linkages and technology adaptation: Achievements of the South-South Cooperation in African Agriculture

26 and 28 September 2013. Abuja . Nigeria. The forum with the theme: Promoting innovation, linkages and technology adaptation: Achievements of the South-South Cooperation in African Agriculture, drew about 50 participants from SSC host countries and attracted participants from Benin Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Uganda, as well as development partners. 

In his address, Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina noted that "China's agricultural growth is impressive and offers lessons for African countries.

Also speaking, China's Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Chen Xiaohua noted that China has sent altogether 998 agricultural experts and technicians to 24 countries in Africa, Asia, South Pacific and the Caribbean. The biggest, longest and most productive SSC project by China is with Nigeria,"

Adesina commended FAO for its vision in developing, promoting and nurturing SSC to boost agricultural production in developing countries, noting that out of a total of 998 Chinese experts that have been in the SSC programme across Asia, Africa, South Pacific and Caribbean, 686 have been in Nigeria. He also praised Chinese Government's vision to set up a $30m Trust Fund to support the SSC, noting that the SSC has helped Nigeria in many areas especially in rice production, apiculture, aquaculture, poultry, bamboo production, development of small scale equipment, vegetable production and drip irrigation.

"The impact of the SSC is evident in the lives of farmers, communities and private sector firms that have taken advantage of the programme," he enthused. He appealed for a closer cooperation among participating countries and development partners saying: "Because we now treat agriculture as a business, the SSC should be modified to South-South Agricultural Investment Cooperation."

Backgound:

In 2003, Nigeria signed a Tripartite Project Agreement (TPA) in support of the NPFS.National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with the People's Republic of China and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

• The Nigeria-China SSC Programme, fis currently in its second phase of implementation.
• The first phase was implemented between 2003 and 2007, and involved the deployment of 496 Chinese experts and technicians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
• Due to the impressive achievements recorded during the first phase, the Federal Government approved the continuation of the programme under a second phase for another five-year term.

As part of its efforts to eliminate hunger from countries of the south through technological advancement, economic growth and home-grown capacity development, the South-South cooperation (SSC) has many objectives.

• The South-South cooperation (SSC) in Nigeria is to assist the country to identify, design and implement SSC activities in water control and management, apiculture, horticulture, and vegetable production.
• Other areas of assistance include fisheries production, crop intensification, agro-processing, livestock production and fabrication of simple farm equipment and tools.
• They include food and nutrition security for improved livelihood; improved agricultural production and productivity.
• Others are, building capacity of all those involved in agricultural production and promoting partnership and cooperation between Nigeria and China.