Adamawa, NEPC empower 210 smallholder farmers for export markets
Adamawa government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained and empowered 210 small-holder farmers, on the production of high-quality agro commodities for the export markets.
Speaking during the training in Mubi on Saturday, the commissioner, ministry of commerce, trade and industry, Ishaya Dabari, said that the project aims to empower farmers to venture into export activities in order to stimulate economic growth.
He explained that the exercise is taking place simultaneously across three senatorial zones in the state.
“In partnership with the NEPC we brought a strategy for people to obtain export certificates at no cost, to 150 SMEs that will facilitate export of local products without challenges.
“We knew the financial capacity of our people; Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri decided to pay for the fees of processing 150 certificates that we distributed”, he said.
Meanwhile, he listed the commodities to include sesame, groundnut, hibiscus, soybeans, ginger, and processed food products.
Also speaking, NEPC’s North-East regional coordinator, Anani Egon, said that the project is to stimulate sustainable growth of the agri-food export sector in a bid to strengthen capacity among farmers, processors and potential exporters.
“The project is under the broader framework of States Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), a world bank assisted program to promote sustainable economic diversification by strengthening the non-oil export sector,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to put the skills into practice so as to improve their production and position the state as a reliable source of high-quality agro commodities for the export markets.
In her address, the permanent secretary, ministry of commerce, trade and industry, Saso Benson-Ali, thanked Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for the gesture.
She also urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to succeed in their respective businesses.
In response, a beneficiary, Abubakar Mayo, appreciated the gesture and expressed confidence that with the empowerment, they will contribute positively to the socioeconomic development of the state and country at large.
He expressed delight on the farming inputs received such as: herbicides, knapsack sprayers, boots and other tools which he said will help to boost his production.
(NAN)
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