FG should provide support to boost yam production — Reps
The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu-led government to boost yam tuber production through critical initiatives and incentives to farmers from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Agriculture Insurance Corporation, Bank of Agriculture and Money Deposit Banks.
The Reps also urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to carry out policy reviews to regulate and supervise agencies responsible for exportation in Nigeria.
The resolutions were reached on Thursday, following the adoption of a motion co-sponsored by Akume Regina and Adedayo Adesola, both members of the All Progressives Congress from Benue and Lagos States respectively.
The motion titled “Need to Formulate Policies that Will Foster Exportation and Boost Yam Production in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria” saw Akume take to the floor to lead the debate at Thursday’s plenary.
Leading the debate, Akume described yam as one of the most widely consumed food crops in Nigeria and a major cash crop cultivated in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria.
She noted that the House is aware that the producers of yam are heavily reliant on its consumers “Due to the lack of a proper storage system in place that guarantees its availability and freshness over a long period;
“The exportation of yam is highly recommended to boost Nigeria’s earning capacity, its external reserves, and its value chain. Unfortunately, exportation is not a thriving business option in Nigeria due to bottlenecks created by regulatory agencies;
“The House is worried that those engaged in the business of exportation do so outside the purview of the agencies responsible for promoting the trade by employing the services of local packaging producers or moving their operations to more business-friendly economies like Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Benin Republic.
“The House is worried that the Nigerian farmers are the primary suppliers of raw materials for the Fresh Yam Produce in Ghana,” she said.
In adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Commerce to invite the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to provide an update on how to promote Nigeria’s export business.
