The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE), 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 issued on Tuesday by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, Mahmood assured the delegation that the Ministry was ready to provide the necessary policy guidance, institutional support and coordination to facilitate the effective implementation of the programme.
She said the Ministry remained committed to unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy as a catalyst for food security, job creation, poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.
Mahmood emphasised the importance of strengthening the fisheries and aquaculture sector to Nigeria’s food security objectives, noting its potential to boost domestic fish production, improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities across the value chain.
She further assured the delegation that the Ministry would work closely with Partners of the Americas and other development partners to ensure that the programme complements existing Federal Government initiatives and delivers tangible and measurable benefits to fishers, aquaculture operators, processors, marketers and other value-chain actors.
Earlier, Galdo introduced the USDA Food for Progress Programme to the Ministry, outlining its objectives, implementation strategy and expected outcomes, with particular emphasis on improving productivity, strengthening resilience and promoting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
He explained that the programme was designed to enhance agricultural productivity and expand trade in developing countries, adding that its focus on fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria would help improve livelihoods, increase access to protein and build more resilient food systems.
Galdo identified improved access to quality inputs and finance, stronger market systems, enhanced productivity and increased private-sector participation as key areas of intervention across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
He also disclosed that baseline studies were underway to provide the evidence needed to guide targeted interventions and ensure that programme activities effectively address identified gaps and opportunities within the sector.
Galdo sought the Ministry’s continued engagement and institutional guidance to ensure that the programme remains aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities and contributes meaningfully to the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of collaboration and strengthen alignment with the Ministry’s strategic priorities, particularly in addressing productivity gaps, financing constraints, limited market access and policy bottlenecks affecting the sustainable growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
