Following the developmental plans for technological production of coal-based fertilizer, the federal government and the government of Indonesia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a coal-based fertiliser plant in Nigeria to support agriculture production to boost food security.

The agreement was signed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Technology (NASENI) and the Indonesian company, PT Saputra Global Harvest, during the collaboration ceremony,  in Abuja, yesterday.

The executive vice chairman (EVC) of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, in his remarks during the ceremony, said the collaboration with Saputra Harvest will enhance innovation, technology transfer, and industrialisation of Nigeria.

He said “as you all know, food security is one of the priority areas on the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President is determined to build a Nigeria that is not only able to feed itself in an affordable manner, but also one that is able to produce surplus food for export.

“With agriculture we can make a massive dent on unemployment in Nigeria, while also earning foreign exchange that can positively transform the fortunes of the economy.

“The agreement we are signing today with Saputra covers three key areas: The supply of machinery and equipment that will enable us produce coal-based fertilizer for use in Nigeria; The capacity development component, which is the training of Nigerian personnel on the use and maintenance of these equipment and The licensing that gives us the permission to produce the coal- based fertilizer according to the prevailing standards of quality.”

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Nigeria, Dr. H. Usra Hendra Harahap, said the MoU underscores the enduring partnership between the two nations and their shared commitment to fostering advancements in agriculture and technology.

He said “This collaborative effort represents a union of expertise, innovation and a shared vision for sustainable agriculture development.

“This fertiliser plant is not just a facility, it is a testament to the fruitful partnership between Indonesia and Nigeria. Our Indonesian company, Saputra brings a wealth of experience and success in similar ventures and we are confident that this collaboration will yield substantial benefits for the Nigerian agriculture sector.

“The state- of- the- art, technology and sustainable practices that Saputra incorporates will undoubtedly contribute to the enhancement of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.”