According to Ernest Umakihe, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Nigerians would soon be importing yam from China for domestic use.
Speaking during a stakeholders workshop on repositioning yam as an export crop with the topic “Prospects and Challenges of yam export in Nigeria,” Umakihe made this statement.
According to Leadership, Umakihe expressed regret that Nigeria is not included on the list of nations that export yams, even though the country produces 67% of the world’s yams.
He voiced worries that, given Nigerians’ preference for imported items and China’s entry into the yam export industry, Chinese yam would soon be discovered in Nigerian kitchens if precautions aren’t taken. This would increase the number of unemployed Nigerians and decrease the revenue of yam farmers.
According to Umakihe, the Nasarawa State government shipped 8.5 metric tons of yam in 2009, marking Nigeria’s first export effort. Two shipments totaling 66 metric tonnes were made in the same month by Oyo State, however both attempts were unsuccessful. He said that the Ministry’s 2017 attempt to bring yam exports back was badly managed.
He stated “It was only in 2017 that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture under the leadership of Chief Audu Ogbeh, then Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organised the first flag-off ceremony (of yam) with a batch of 72 tons to UK and USA. I believe these were done without proper planning before the execution. Aside the mentioned attempts, nothing much has been heard of the yam export from Nigeria.”
