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Rockefeller Foundation to Partner FG on Agriculture Transformation

By Afolabi Ogunde on August 15, 2012

Judith Rodin, President, Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation disclosed yesterday that it is partnering the Goodluck Jonathan administration in its Agriculture Transformation Agenda.

President of the Foundation, Judith Rodin, said that she felt the country could emerge the agricultural hub of the continent if the transformation agenda succeeded.

The Rockefeller chief said the Foundation would assist government to boost productivity in the sector by focusing on the agriculture value chain.

She said, “The Rockefeller Foundation has a long history in understanding how to promote a green revolution. Fifty years ago, we worked in South East Asia on how to create the green revolution in Asia and to also create a reduction in hunger and food insecurity.

“Now, AGRA is undertaking that initiative on this continent and many countries and we know that the opportunities in Nigeria for agriculture are great and we feel that the land that is already being used for agriculture can be used more productively.”

She added, “The emphasis is on processing and we are looking at the new forms of cassava-based bread and there are tremendous opportunities of creating a higher value chain through that kind of productivity.

“Nigeria can lead by changing from an import to being first sustaining and then exporter of many crop varieties. But importantly, this is an area that offers important opportunities for job creation and opportunity for youths for boosting economic development.”