Agri agencies must forge closer ties with private sector

-Min. Mustapha

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha today called on all of the Departments under his purview to establish closer ties with the private sector.

These partnerships will aid in advancing agriculture in the long-term, he said.

The Minister made these statements while addressing a webinar hosted by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to discuss ways of fostering public-private partnerships.

Speaking specifically to the NDIA, the Minister called for more effort to strengthen its relationship with other public and private sector entities to enhance drainage projects countrywide.

“The services that we provide are important to our country. So, I implore that we form these partnerships and seek other partnerships to extend and develop these services and improve the drainage system in our country,” Minister Mustapha said.

The NDIA is tasked with all matters pertaining to the management, improvement, extension and provision of drainage, irrigation and flood control infrastructure and services in declared areas of the country.  

Minister Mustapha also noted that these discussions should be ongoing and not only held during ‘Agriculture Month.’