Thailand plans to establish an agricultural learning centre in Nigeria to strengthen food security, agricultural knowledge-sharing and development cooperation with African countries.
The announcement came during a United Nations General Assembly debate on Africa’s development and international support for the continent on Monday in New York.
Thailand’s representative, speaking on behalf of the country, identified Nigeria among four African countries proposed to host agricultural learning centres under its development cooperation initiatives.
The other countries are Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Kenya.
The proposed centres aim to promote agricultural training, technical knowledge-sharing and capacity-building, drawing on Thailand’s experience in agricultural development.
For Nigeria, the initiative could provide opportunities for technical exchanges and training to improve agricultural productivity and food production.
The proposal comes as Nigeria seeks to boost domestic food production, strengthen food security and reduce dependence on imported food products.
It also follows renewed diplomatic and economic engagement between Thailand and Nigeria.
In August, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, visited Nigeria and Ethiopia to strengthen relations with African countries.
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During his visit to Abuja on August 25 and 26, Sihasak met Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
He also held discussions with Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission.
In Lagos, Sihasak participated in activities promoting business engagement and development cooperation between Thailand and Nigeria.
He also delivered opening remarks at the Thailand–Nigeria Business Forum, which brought together stakeholders interested in expanding commercial relations.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said the broader African visit produced five cooperation documents covering different areas of bilateral engagement.
The documents included arrangements to promote technical cooperation with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and development cooperation between educational institutions in both countries.
The agreements provide an institutional framework for exchanging expertise and developing practical cooperation programme.
Thailand said its development cooperation initiatives had benefited more than 4,000 African officials and practitioners over approximately three decades.
However, Thailand has not publicly specified the proposed centre’s location in Nigeria, estimated cost, commencement date or operational arrangements in its General Assembly remarks.
NAN
