Ukraine, Nigeria to cooperate in pursuing Grain from Ukraine initiative - Agriculture Ministry

MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - Ukraine and Nigeria have agreed to collaborate under the Grain from Ukraine program designed to facilitate supplies of Ukrainian foodstuffs to African and Asian countries.

Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Nikolai Solsky and Nigerian Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar discussed the matter at a meeting, Ukrainian media have reported with reference to the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry.

The parties have voiced their view on interaction at all stages of the humanitarian mission. In particular, they discussed options for transporting foodstuffs and agricultural produce available for exports.

The Grain from Ukraine program pursued in partnership with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is aimed at providing grain to at least 5 million people before the end of spring 2023.

Under the program, Ukraine decided to send part of its grain reserves to African countries facing hunger. Some of the grain ready for export could be purchased by countries that have joined the project, thus simultaneously supporting the Ukrainian economy in a difficult situation and helping poor countries of Africa.

As of the end of November 2022, over 30 countries and international organizations joined Grain from Ukraine, accumulating jointly over $180 million.