The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has urged farmers in Adamawa State to embrace organic farming as a pathway to unlock lucrative export opportunities and contribute to Nigeria's economic diversification efforts, moving beyond oil dependence.
At a special capacity-building workshop held in Jimeta, Yola, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, emphasized the growing global demand for certified organic produce and the importance of positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in this market.
"The main objective of this initiative is to develop the capacity for prosperous organic exports," Ayeni stated, highlighting that the NEPC's efforts are aimed at ensuring Nigeria taps into the expanding global organic food market, currently valued at over $97 billion and expected to grow to $437 billion by 2028.
She further explained that the training program was designed to equip smallholder farmers with the skills needed to obtain Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.
This certification is crucial for cooperative farming groups and aligns with international organic farming standards. Ayeni also pointed out that this initiative is part of the NEPC's broader strategy to position Nigeria as a source of certified, high-quality organic products.
Read also:
As part of the NEPC's commitment to empowering local farmers, Ayeni announced that the Council will provide 300 kilograms of improved SAMNUT 22 groundnut seeds to the Groundnut Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (Adamawa State chapter).
These seeds will be cultivated on an eight-hectare cluster model demonstration farm in Malkoli, Yola South, with plans to extend similar initiatives to other commodity associations and farming clusters in the state.
Reaffirming the Nigerian government's commitment to economic diversification through non-oil exports, Ayeni stressed the importance of organic agriculture in driving export growth and ensuring sustainable development. She also urged both public and private sector stakeholders to collaborate in boosting Nigeria's competitiveness in the global market.
Mr. Peter Irimiya, speaking on behalf of the Adamawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, expressed strong support for the NEPC's intervention and pledged the state's full backing.
He also committed to transitioning from inorganic to organic farming, emphasizing the need for farmers to embrace the training seriously. Irimiya encouraged all participants to become "planners at the villages for export," ensuring that the impact of this initiative spreads beyond Adamawa State to other parts of Nigeria.
This event is part of the NEPC's ongoing efforts to stimulate rural development and drive economic transformation through export-focused agriculture, aligning with the Federal Government's broader agenda for national growth and diversification.
