Concerns Arise As Nigeria Considers Yam Imports From China, Perm Sec Raises Alarm

Concerns Arise As Nigeria Considers Yam Imports From China, Perm Sec Raises Alarm....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ernest Umakihe, the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has raised concerns about the possibility of Nigerians resorting to importing yams from China for local consumption.

Umakihe made these remarks during a stakeholders workshop focused on enhancing yam as an export commodity, themed ‘Prospects and Challenges of Yam Export in Nigeria.’

According to Leadership, Umakihe expressed dismay over Nigeria’s absence in the league of yam-exporting nations, despite the country’s significant contribution of 67% to the global yam output.

He voiced apprehensions about the potential infiltration of Chinese yams into the Nigerian market due to the country’s inclination towards imported goods. This trend, if unchecked, could exacerbate unemployment rates and diminish the income of local yam farmers.

Umakihe recalled Nigeria’s initial forays into yam exportation, citing Nasarawa State’s 2009 endeavor, which saw the export of 8.5 metric tonnes followed by an additional 66 metric tonnes in two subsequent shipments. However, similar efforts by Oyo State and subsequent attempts by the Ministry in 2017, under the leadership of Chief Audu Ogbeh, were met with limited success.

He critiqued the lack of proper planning preceding the execution of these initiatives, highlighting the 2017 flag-off ceremony where 72 tons of yams were sent to the UK and USA. Despite these sporadic efforts, Umakihe lamented the absence of sustained progress in yam exportation from Nigeria.

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