The Nigerian Export Promotion Council on Friday advised farmers to the production of economic crops and trees a priority so as to harness the enormous potential of export to the international market.
This advised was given by the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Dr Ezra Yakusak, during his interaction with Southern Kaduna Journalist Forum who visited him in his office in Abuja.
According to The Punch, Yakusak said cultivation of trees like cashew and palm trees which are highly economical has a huge export potential.
He, however and urged farmers to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the benefit.
In his words, “Farmers can pool their small farmlands into clusters covering 10 to 20 hectares of land to either cultivate cashew or palm trees to be able to access technical and input supports.”
He said that the council is willing to support with the required awareness, technical assistance, capacity building and the right strategies to have access the international market through export.
“If the farmers can come together, we will support them with improved seedlings, train them on how to plant, the spacing and provide other technical support to ensure success.
“After that, we will sensitise the farmers on how the produce will be exported to other countries to earn more money and foreign exchange for the country,” he said.
Intially the Chairman of the forum, Mr Ango Bally, had stated that they were creating awareness through print, electronics, and online media platforms both owned by government and private individuals or groups to create awareness on export.
“We will also sensitise and mobilise farmers and Nigerians to key into the lucrative export business,” Bally said.
According to the report, the chairman continued by mentioning that Southern Kaduna produced one of the best varieties of ginger in the world.
He stressed that by exporting the product to other countries, intermediaries from other regions of the nation gain more at the expense of the farmers.
Bally emphasized that the farmers needed to be educated on how to increase their income in the ginger value chain with a focus on export, and he said that the journalist forum would be very helpful in that regard.
