News in brief:
-Â Nigeria’s House of Representatives urges increased yam tuber production and export promotion, emphasising the need for incentives and policy reviews to regulate export agencies.
– It also expressed concern about the lack of proper storage and urge its Commerce Committee to investigate and recommend solutions for improving the yam export sector.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called for increased yam tuber production and export promotion through targeted incentives for farmers and policy reviews to regulate and supervise export agencies.
The motion, co-sponsored by Hon. Akume Regina and Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola, highlighted yam’s significance as a widely consumed food crop and a major cash crop.
According to Regina, the lack of a proper storage system hinders yam producers, making them reliant on consumers. She emphasised that it was important for farmers to export the produce to boost Nigeria’s earnings, external reserves, and value chain but noted the challenges posed by regulatory agencies.
The reps expressed concern over the practice of yam exporters bypassing regulatory agencies and operating outside of Nigeria, opting for more business-friendly environments like Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Benin Republic. They also shone light on the fact that Nigerian farmers are the primary suppliers of raw materials for the ‘Fresh Yam Produce in Ghana.’
To address these concerns, the House mandated its Committee on Commerce to invite the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to provide an update on promoting Nigeria’s export business. The committee is tasked with investigating the factors hindering yam exportation and recommending solutions to improve the sector’s performance.
The House’s resolution underscores the importance of yam as a valuable agricultural export commodity and the need for supportive policies and incentives to enhance production and export capacity. The involvement of relevant regulatory agencies is crucial to ensure compliance with standards and facilitate smooth export processes.
This investigation, and recommendations that will come from it, is essential in identifying and addressing the bottlenecks impeding yam exportation and unlocking the industry’s full potential.
