‎Export Drive: Gov. ‎Fintiri Partners NEPC on Agric Capacity Building

By Yagana Ali Yola 

‎The Adamawa State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Ishaya John Dabari, has announced that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has intensified efforts to support farmers interested in exporting agricultural produce across Nigeria’s borders.

‎‎As part of this effort, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has organized a comprehensive capacity-building program on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for farmers, processors, and exporters in the state.

‎‎With the theme “Development of the Agric Food Export Sector in Adamawa State,” the training aligns with the World Bank’s broader framework on improving the ease of doing business.

‎‎The Adamawa State Government has consistently demonstrated commitment to leveraging the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) to expand economic opportunities for its citizens. In partnership with NEPC, the state has already registered 150 potential exporters at no cost, granting them access to full participation in export-related activities.

‎‎Building on this achievement, the Ministry has scaled up its efforts by training stakeholders on standard practices that enhance both productivity and packaging quality for exportable commodities such as sesame, groundnuts, hibiscus, soybeans, ginger, and various processed foods.

‎Speaking at the training in Mubi on Saturday, Ishaya Dabari said, the project aimed to empower farmers to venture into export activity in order to stimulate economic activity.

He explained that the exercise is taking place simultaneously across three senatorial zones in the state.

“In partnership with the NEPC we brought a strategy for people to obtain export certificates at no cost to 150 SMEs that will facilitate export of local products without challenges.

He expressed optimism that the programme will significantly increase the number of successful exporters, noting Adamawa’s vast agricultural potential.

‎‎He urged farmers to take full advantage of the opportunity and engage in farming activities that will yield high-quality produce suitable for export.

‎‎Also speaking, the NEPC North-East Regional Coordinator, Ben Anani, said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s push to strengthen the non-oil export sector. He highlighted the programme’s key goals, including stimulating sustainable growth in the agrifood export space and building a strong value chain that meets global market demands.

‎‎The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chairperson of the State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP), Mrs. Saso Benson Ali, who attended the Southern Zone training, praised Governor Fintiri’s commitment to ensuring that farmers benefit from democratic dividends. She urged participants to make good use of the skills and support provided.

‎Participants described the training as timely and impactful, noting that it will improve agricultural production and position local farmers to tap into export opportunities.

‎‎The event was rounded off with the distribution of farming inputs such as herbicides, knapsack sprayers, boots and other tools aimed at boosting food production across the state.