The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress Programme in Nigeria, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention capable of strengthening the country’s fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, gave the assurance when she received a delegation from Partners of the Americas, the implementing partner for the USDA Food for Progress Programme in Nigeria, led by Gustavo Galdo, in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, Mahmood assured the delegation that the Ministry would provide the necessary policy guidance, institutional support and coordination to facilitate effective implementation of the programme.
She said the Federal Government remains committed to unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s blue economy as a driver of food security, employment generation, poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.
Mahmood said strengthening the fisheries and aquaculture sector was particularly important to Nigeria’s food security objectives because of its potential to increase domestic fish production, improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities throughout the value chain.
She further assured Partners of the Americas that the Ministry would work with the organisation and other development partners to ensure that the programme complements existing government initiatives and delivers measurable benefits to Nigerian fishers, aquaculture operators, processors, marketers and other participants in the sector.
Earlier, Galdo introduced the USDA Food for Progress Nigeria Programme to the Ministry and outlined its objectives, implementation strategy and expected outcomes.
He said the programme would focus on improving productivity, strengthening resilience and promoting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Galdo explained that the Food for Progress Programme is designed to enhance agricultural productivity and expand trade in developing countries.
He said its focus on fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria could help improve livelihoods, increase access to protein and contribute to the development of more resilient food systems.
Key areas of intervention will include improving access to quality inputs and finance, strengthening market systems, increasing productivity and expanding private-sector participation across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
Galdo also disclosed that baseline studies are currently being conducted to provide evidence for targeted interventions and ensure that programme activities address identified gaps and opportunities within the sector.
He sought continued engagement and institutional guidance from the Ministry to ensure that the programme remains aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities and contributes to the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to identify areas of collaboration and strengthen alignment with the Ministry’s strategic priorities.
Discussions focused on challenges affecting the sector, including productivity gaps, financing constraints, limited market access and policy bottlenecks that continue to affect the competitiveness and sustainable growth of Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.
The Federal Government’s backing of the programme signals increased attention to fisheries and aquaculture as part of Nigeria’s broader blue economy strategy, with improved production and value-chain development expected to support food security, livelihoods and economic growth.
