Agric Export: stakeholders brainstorm on more foreign earnings

 

Agric experts in both private and public sectors have arrived on a consensus that would enhance better foreign earnings through export of more agricultural produce in Nigeria.

This was contained in a communique issued at one day export stakeholders implementation forum held this Monday at Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was agreed in the statement that agricultural produce should be properly harnessed to achieve diversification of our economy to wealth and jobs creation through more foreign exchange earnings.

 

The communique noted that the meeting was called at the instance of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar to address challenges confronting the export of agricultural produce with the view of identifying practical solutions. 

The observations and recommendations made by stakeholders were in the full text below.

COMMUNIQUE 

ISSUED AT A ONE DAY NATIONAL EXPORT STAKEHOLDERS IMPLEMENTATION 

FORUM HELD ON MONDAY , MAY 15, 2023 AT LAGOS CONTINENTAL HOTEL, 

VICTORIA ISLAND , LAGOS STATE 

 The Nigerian agricultural sector has always played a significant role in the 

country’s economy, contributing to employment, food security, and foreign 

exchange earnings. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on agroexport as a means to diversify the economy and take advantage of the global 

demand for Nigerian agricultural products. 

However, despite the vast potential, the Nigerian agro-export market faces 

numerous challenges that hinder its growth and competitiveness in the 

international arena. 

Recognizing the need to address these challenges and foster sustainable growth 

in the agro-export sector, the Honorable Minister Federal Ministry of Agriculture 

and Rural Development invited key stakeholders from various sectors, including 

farmers, exporters, financial institutions, and industry experts to the Nigeria Export 

Stakeholders’ Implementation Forum. 

The forum serves as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, with 

the primary objective of identifying and implementing practical solutions to the 

issues impeding the development of the Nigerian agro-export market. The forum 

also aims to bring together diverse perspectives, expertise, and experiences to 

foster a conducive environment for sustainable agro-export growth. 

This Forum was declared open by Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, The 

Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 

(FMARD) ably represented by Mrs. Omolara Abimbola Oguntuyi. Regional 

Observations

 The following observations were made during interaction 

(i)

Nigerian foreign exchange earnings is currently under threat as 

global attention shifts away from fossil fuel to a more sustainable and 

environmentally friendly source of energy which is part of global 

effort to mitigate the impact of climate change. 

(ii)

Agro-export opportunities created under various trade deals are 

underutilized and challenged by the high cost of freight, poor policy 

implementation, multiple charges and levies, poor marketing and, 

traceability of agro-exports, unharmonized standards, multiple 

agencies interference in agricultural commodities export, 

inadequate youth participation across the value chain and trade 

facilitation infrastructure deficits. 

(iii)

The ease of doing business has improved in Nigeria but much more 

still needs to be done to facilitate agricultural export trade in order to 

increase export and enhance sector contribution to national 

development. 

(iv)

 Nigeria’s export value ($) to landmass (sqKM) ratio of 1,299 shows 

that the country is not doing enough to leverage on its arable 

landmass to improve agricultural production and export. 

Recommendations 

(i)

Government to encourage and increase youth participation in 

agriculture as a strategic effort towards driving innovation and 

technology adoption as new efforts to boost production and export. 

Calls for inclusive consultation of all value chain actors including 

cold-room operators, packaging and other logistic operators in 

policy formulation and decision-making process as part of broader 

efforts towards policy implementation for increased agricultural 

production and export.

(iii)

Ports and border agencies of Government as well as other regulatory 

agencies to support NAQS as far as agro-export is concerned. 

(iv)

Institutionalize measures that enhance traceability of agricultural 

products through the National Technical Working Group whose 

office is located at 79 Adeomola Adetokumbo Crescent, Wuse II and 

whose membership is on a 80-20 basis for private and government 

respectively as attached. 

(v)

Stakeholders call on Government to activate the Technical Working 

Group which can provide the needed leverage for the private sector 

to stimulate strategies that can increase agriculture export and its 

contribution to foreign earning 

Conclusion 

The stakeholders ratified the following 10 Subgroups: 

(i)

AFAN 

(ii)

Crop subsector 

(iii)

Livestock subsector 

(iv)

Fisheries subsector 

(v)

Extension Services 

(vi)

Nigeria AgriBusiness Group 

(vii)

FACAN 

(viii)

Fruits and vegetables 

(ix)

Logistic and Supply 

Nigeria Export Group 

The following are the list of suggested agribusiness groups that would be worked 

on by the National Technical Working Group: 

1. AGRIC Research Institutes 

2. Laboratory Services 

3. AFAN 

4. FACAN 

5. Nigeria Agribusiness Group – NABG 

6. Roots and Tubers 

a. Potato 

i. Sweet P, 

ii. Irish P., 

iii. Orange Fleshed P. etc. 

b. Yam 

c. Cocoyam 

d. Cassava etc. 

7. Cereals 

a. Maize 

b. Millet 

c. Fonio (Acha) etc. 

8. Large Animals 

a. Cattle etc. 

9. Poultry Association of Nigeria 

10. Swine Group 

11. Laboratory Animals and Rodents 

a. Guinea-Pigs 

b. Rabbits 

c. Grasscutter etc. 

Agro-pesticides and Chemicals 

13. Farm Mechanization 

14. Cold-Chain/Warehouse 

15. Logistics and Supply chain 

16. Nigerian Export Group 

17. Spices and Culinary Herbs 

a. Turmeric 

b. Uziza 

c. Ginger 

d. Chilli 

e. Cloves 

f. Nsukka Pepper 

g. Garlic 

h. Cinnamon 

i. Stevia etc. 

18. Animal Products and by-products 

a. Meat 

b. Milk 

c. Kilishi 

d. Kindirmo 

e. Ponmo etc. 

19. Farm extension services/training 

20. Inspectors, Auditors and Certifiers of the process, product and facility. 

21. Commodities/Trade Exchanges. 

22. Government Regulators in Agricultural Business. 

23. Aquaculture (Fisheries). 

24. Ornamental Fisheries. 

25. Forestry/Wildlife 

a. Shea-butter 

b. Gum Arabic etc. 

26. Honey 

27. Processed animal proteins 

28. Vegetables and Fruits 

a. Spinach 

b. Ugu 

c. Mushrooms 

d. Onions 

e. Tomato 

f. Oranges 

g. Mangoes 

h. Pineapples etc. 

29. Oil Seeds and Nuts 

a. Coconut 

b. Palm Tree 

c. Sunflower 

d. Sesame 

e. Soyabean 

f. Groundnut 

g. Cashew nut 

h. Melon 

i. Rapeseed 

j. Cotton Seed etc. 

30. Financial Services (Banks, Insurance Companies, EXIM Banks) 

31. Cut Flowers/Ornamental plants 

32. Hibiscus 

33. Medicinal/Herbal Plants 

34. Small animals and pets 

a. Snails 

b. Sheep and Goats etc. 

35. Fisheries and Fisheries Products 

a. Shrimps and Prawns 

b. Crabs 

c. Crayfish 

d. Dry Fish 

e. Stock Fish 

f. Periwinkles 

g. Water-snail etc.