Adamawa Empowers 210 Farmers To Produce Export Crops

The Adamawa State government has empowered 210 smallholder farmers with a reliable source of high-quality agro commodities for export markets.

At the training, which was conducted in Mubi with technical support from the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Ishaya Dabari, the commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, said the project aimed to empower farmers to venture into export activities to stimulate economic growth.

He said the exercises were taking place simultaneously across the three senatorial zones in the state in partnership with NEPC.

Dabari said, “We brought a strategy for people to obtain export certificates at no cost to 150 SMEs that will facilitate the export of local products without challenges.

“We knew the financial capacity of our people, so Governor Fintiri decided to pay for the fees of processing 150 certificates that we distributed,” he said.

The commissioner listed the produce to include sesame, groundnut, hibiscus, soybeans, ginger, and processed food products.

In her address, Mrs Saso Benson-Ali, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, appreciated Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for the gesture, irrespective of any difference, for the economic prosperity of the state.

Mr Anani Egon, NEPC’s North-East regional coordinator, said the project aims to stimulate the sustainable growth of the agri-food export sector, strengthening capacity among farmers, processors, and potential exporters.