The Adamawa State Government has paid for 150 export licences for potential exporters of agricultural produce as part of efforts to encourage and expand agro-exportation in the state.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industries, Dr. Ishaya John Dabari, disclosed this during a one-day workshop on Good Agricultural Practices for Smallholder Farmers held at the Nursing House, Jimeta.
The workshop, organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Northeast Regional Office, had the theme, “Empowering Soybean Farmers for Export.”
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Saso Benson Ali, the Commissioner said the government’s decision to bear the cost of the export certification was aimed at encouraging soybean farmers and others cultivating exportable crops to leverage the opportunity.
Dabari noted that agricultural exports from the state remain low, while the involvement of middlemen continues to exploit farmers and reduce their profit margins. He urged participants to form clusters to strengthen their capacity and take advantage of NEPC’s presence to link directly with international buyers.
In his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator of NEPC and Deputy Director, Mr. Ben Anani Egon, said soybean was designated as Adamawa’s primary export crop under the council’s “One State, One Crop” initiative.
Egon explained that the workshop was designed to educate farmers on best agricultural practices, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve compliance with international standards.
He expressed concern over the excessive use of chemicals by farmers, which he said has led to frequent rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce in foreign markets. He assured that the workshop would help farmers improve the quality of their produce to meet global export requirements.
Also speaking, Mrs. Hennath Thomas, who represented the Chairman of the Soybean Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association, Dahiru Waziri, described the training as timely, saying it would enhance farmers’ knowledge, marketing skills, and readiness for export opportunities.
In her presentation on “Good Agricultural Practices for Soybean Cultivation,” Mrs. Petunia Kefas of the Adamawa Agricultural Development Programme highlighted steps farmers should take to increase yield and meet export standards.
Similarly, Mr. Salisu Sabo of Bin Salis Integrated Links Ltd. presented a paper on “Export Procedures and Documentation,” guiding participants on necessary steps for successful exportation of their produce.
