The 70th Anniversary Of The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Is Observed.

The Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture turns 70 today, March 10. (FAS). In Gerald H. Smith’s words, “FAS has had an unflinching conviction in connecting U.S. agriculture to the globe for 70 years,” he is the Counselor for Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.

I am reminded of the critical role FAS has played in tying the Nigerian and American agricultural sectors together as we commemorate the 70th anniversary.

FAS Lagos and Ikun Dairy Farm in Ekiti State worked together in 2021 to bring American Jersey cattle into Nigeria. A cooperative venture between Promasidor Nigeria Ltd and the Ekiti State Government is Ikun Dairy Farm. He cited the good collaboration between FAS and several Nigerian agricultural players as the reason for the cattle shipment’s success.

Moreover, FAS funded 16 Nigerian Fellows in 2022 via the Cochran Fellowship Program, with an emphasis on the growth of dairy and beef cattle as well as consolidated transportation. The Cochran Program has offered Nigerian agricultural professionals short-term training opportunities based in the United States for the past ten years.

FAS is the department of agriculture’s international division and is based out of the US Consulate General in Lagos. It provides a range of services to government and non-government organizations engaged in agricultural commerce and development, as well as American and Nigerian agribusiness enterprises. The service offers possibilities for capacity training to assist developing nations in strengthening sustainable farming practices.