After exporting yam, Nigeria prepares to export another popular farm produce

By Aunde Emmanuel (eaundeblog)

- Nigeria is set to export roasted cashew nuts to Japan, the minister of agriculture disclosed 

- This is coming 5 days after about 72 tonnes of yam were exported to various countries 

- Minister of agriculture and rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the target markets are Africans, especially Nigerians in diaspora.

Once again, the federal government of Nigeria has revealed plans to export another popular farm produce. According to the announcement, processed yam products and roasted cashew nuts are to be exported to Japan, Britain, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU).

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this disclosure in Lagos, on Tuesday, July 4. He also said the exportation of fresh yam tubers had already started. He said: “The target markets are millions of Africans, especially Nigerians in the diaspora, who want to buy and eat fresh yam.

“For those who will prefer yam flour and pounded yam, the ministry has identified five companies to process yam tubers into those products. 

“We will get the UK certified standards for the exportation of those yam value chains. We will also put in our own checks and balances to ensure that every export meets the set standard. “This is to ensure that the processed products are not rejected, once we start to export. “Nigeria is under great pressure to export roasted cashew nuts to Japan and all categories of beans and sesame seeds, among others, to India.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria has officially kick-started the export of Nigerian yam to different parts of the world in fulfillment of the promise of Buhari's administration to diversify the economy. The Nigeria Yam Export was launched at Lillypond Container Terminal, Ijora, Lagos on Thursday, June 29, by the minister of agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh.