FG sets to reposition groundnut for global competitiveness

*Stakeholders applaud government

The Federal Government (FG) through its Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) has developed an implementation work plan that will make groundnut productivity more competitive in the global markets just as the major stakeholders have commended and described the moved as being long overdue.  

Speaking in an event held at Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of FMITI Mr.  Edet Akpan who was represented by the Commodity Protection Inspectorate Director, Mrs. Opeoluwa Opeewe disclosed that the implementation work plan that would galvanise the productivity of the produce through processing and marketing was a strategic framework that would return groundnut to its pride of place in the global market space.

He said that the continued decline in the groundnut national output is responsible for current position of the country in the world where we are ranked 70^th, unlike between the 60s and 80s, where Nigeria occupied the 3^rd position in export of groundnut in the world.

Akpan added that in achieving these laudable goals of self-sufficiency in the productivity of groundnut across the 31 producing states in the country, and meeting the export demand and deepening diversification policy of the government would be a mirage unless challenges such as processing, marketing and the absence of a clear policy framework for the produce is well addressed.

 He assured that the ministry was capable to create the enabling environment needed to reposition the groundnut subsector to compete favourably both locally and internationally.

He noted that the policy was necessary for the development of the groundnut industry where Nigeria was self sufficient in the produce between the 60’s and 80’s, thereby enjoined members of the association to accept the policy to create greater wealth among the Nigerian citizenry to compete locally and internationally, while the livelihood of farmers are improved, as they automatically become a leading player in the market.

The National President, National Groundnut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NGROPPMAN) Hon. Phonie Chibok applauded the innovation saying it was long overdue when one looked at the achievement of the produce in the 60s, stressed that government must wake up to its responsibility by  urgently revamping the sector to increase productivity.

He added that there are so many issues halting the production of groundnut in the country despite its potential and the opportunity that the produce holds in the development of the nation, adding that in the repositioning of the crop the government should ensure that the produce regain its pride of place, as it were in the 60’s where the proceed of groundnut was used to fund major projects in the country.

The consultant on the draft of the National Groundnut Policy Mrs. Funmi IIamah while making her presentation also disclosed that the produce is capable of eradicating poverty, looking at the opportunities created in the past for the country. 

IIamah stressed on the need to increase current country’s production which she described as very low due to lack of extension services and storage facilities that have both hindered the accessibility of the produce in the potential markets for more foreign exchange.  

She further stressed the need for improved seeds towards increased production with adequate education and training of farmers adding that both issues of land availability and security must be taken very seriously as well.

Stakeholders present however called on the FG to look into the issue of financing the produce so that there could be increase in the production of groundnut for export and local uses, saying that the difficulty in the access to finance and incentive is a great challenge to the development of the produce which is needed to be tackled.