Enhancing Research and Agricultural Development: Nigeria and Czech Republic Sign $21.7m Agreement
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has recently entered into a $21.7 million agreement with the Czech Republic to implement the Delta-2 projects in Nigeria. The purpose of this agreement, financed by Czech institutions, is to advance research, development, and innovation in Nigeria.
In addition to the Czech Republic agreement, NASENI has also finalized a deal with the Indonesian firm, SAPUTRA Global Harvest, to establish a coal fertiliser plant aimed at tackling food security. These agreements were formalized at the headquarters of NASENI in Abuja.
Under the terms of the agreement, NASENI will provide $10 million in funding for the Delta-2 projects, with the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR) providing the remaining $11.7m. The Delta 2 programme, which was launched in 2021, is intended to finance and facilitate research, development, and innovation projects in the fields of agriculture, mining, and general manufacturing for SMEs.
Khalil Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, stressed that the Delta 2 program underscores NASENI’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape through collaboration, creation, and commercialization. Halilu emphasized the significance of not just creating prototypes and models, but also ensuring their entry into the market for the benefit of consumers and end-users.
The funding for the projects is expected to span a time frame of 12 to 36 months, with implementation scheduled to commence in January 2024. Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange between Nigeria and the Czech Republic, expressed eagerness for the projects’ implementation.
Furthermore, Umar Saputra, the President Commissioner of SAPUTRA Global Harvest, underscored the importance of coal fertiliser in tackling the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. He emphasized the urgent need to find sustainable solutions for agricultural production, especially in light of the current disruptions in the global supply chain of phosphate and potassium.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Nigeria and the Czech Republic in financing research and agricultural development initiatives demonstrates a commitment to addressing critical challenges in key sectors of the economy. The implementation of the Delta-2 projects and the establishment of a coal fertiliser plant are significant steps towards driving innovation and fostering sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria.
