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AGRICULTURE MINISTER HAS TALKS IN AFRICA

 

Agriculture Minister István Nagy inaugurated a model farm set up with his ministry’s support in Kenya’s Mwea and held talks with Kenyan ministers on Friday. Hon Mithika Linturi, Kenya’s minister of agriculture and livestock development, also attended the event. Speaking at the ceremony, Nagy underscored the importance of ensuring the local production of top quality products, “safe and healthy food” in times of crisis, also in a bid to cut dependence on big agricultural countries and multinational trading companies, his ministry said in a statement. In a post on Facebook, the Kenyan minister “expressed gratitude to the Hungarian government for establishing the demo farm in Kirinyaga County, showcasing Hungarian agricultural technology”. He noted that “the farm will be starting trials on Hungarian seed varieties like capsicum, cucumber, green peas and corn, comparing them to Kenyan varieties, marking the beginning of a successful collaboration”.
During the day, Nagy held talks with Mvurya Salim Mgala, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. They identified possibilities in further developing cooperation in fish farming, education and science. Nagy noted that Hungary and Kenya had signed in 2020 a tied-aid agreement under which Hungary will support Kenyan fish farming projects. The Hungarian minister also met Zachariah Mwangi Njeru, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, to discuss water management issues and offered sharing experience in irrigation technologies.
On Saturday, Nagy held talks in Kampala with Ugandan Minister of State for Animal Industry Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama. After the talks, Nagy said an agriculture cooperation agreement between Hungary and Uganda could further strengthen the two countries’ agriculture ties, opening up the African country to investors. Uganda offers serious opportunities for Hungary’s farming sector and businesses, Nagy said at the talks, according to a ministry statement. The country is a leading producer of banana and coffee, he said, adding, at the same time, that its manufacturing sector required further development. Also, Uganda’s growing population calls for improving the efficiency of its agricultural production, he added. Hungary is prepared to share its experience with Uganda, Nagy said, adding that the signing of a bilateral agriculture cooperation agreement could strengthen that process. Nagy also said they wanted to complete an aquaculture project that had been left unfinished, and take further steps in cooperation in science and education. The minister also held talks with the rector of Kampala’s Kyambogo University, the statement said. Nagy noted that Hungary had successfully launched agricultural consultant training programmes with the university. He said even more emphasis needed to be placed on launching joint courses and PhD programmes, supporting student scholarships and the exchange of professionals.
After meeting Chad’s Minister of Production and Agricultural Transformation Keda Ballah in N’Djamena on Sunday, Nagy said Hungary was prepared to aid Chad’s farm sector and stability with an agricultural consulting programme, a demo farm and cooperation in higher education. At the talks, Nagy underlined the importance of stability and predictability in Chad, his ministry said. That was why, he added, Hungary wanted to help the central African country in several areas. Nagy highlighted health care, agriculture and higher education cooperation as areas that Hungary can help strengthen. Hungary is prepared to launch a demo farm in the region to demonstrate irrigation development technologies and experiment with seeds, he said. The minister recommended Hungarian irrigation development technologies that can make farming more efficient. The statement emphasised Chad’s role in maintaining stability in the region, as well as the importance of food security. It said Hungary was prepared to launch an agricultural consulting programme in the country with the aim of further improving farming competency.