Nasarawa Exports Yams To UK



By Tor Vande-Acka Special Correspondent, Lafia



Nasarawa State government has exported over 118 metric tonnes of yam to the United Kingdom (UK) under the trademark, PEPA Yam.

The state, which began the exportation late last year, is billed to export 50 metric tonnes of the yam to UK this month.

The Governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, who disclosed this while inspecting the level of work done at the yam conditioning centre in Keffi, said the concept of the centre had been expanded to accommodate more agricultural products.

According to him, “The initial idea was to start with (the conditioning of) yams and sweet potatoes but now the concept has been expanded to include other agricultural products like vegetables, fish; any aspect of agricultural products can also be conditioned at the centre.”

The governor pointed out that work slowed down on the construction of the centre, which is the first of its kind in the country “to enable the Federal Government come up with a national policy for the initiative.”

He added, “Now that this has been done work will commence to complete the project, explaining that technically the project was not stalled due to lack of funds but to avoid mistakes that would have a negative effect on the project.

On whether the delay would not hamper the exportation of yams to UK, Doma said, “It will not hamper the continuity of shipment of our yam (PEPA Yam) to UK”, and that government has made alternative arrangements that would ensure it continues to meet the needs of the UK market, stressing, “so far, so good.”

Doma also said though plans were underway to meet the needs of other markets in Europe, it does not wish to rush into other markets but would gradually get into other markets as soon as it got hold of UK market and completed work of the conditioning centre in Keffi.

The governor also disclosed that government was embarking on the construction of another conditioning centre in Lafia, the state capital, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the private sector, the federal and state government.

Doma, however, said that the details had not yet been worked out but that as soon as they were worked out work would also commence on the centre.

Are people starving in Nigeria?

@OP

Most naive logic ever.

118 metric tons of Yam is infinitesimally insignificant in the volume of yam cultivated in the country to make the whole of Nigeria starve.

if there is good market for Yam worldwide, Nigeria should explore it. we have enough land to cultivate all the yam,sorghum,rice, pineapple etc we want, if we want to diversify from Oil.

we should encourage any initiative that seeks to make us bend our backs to tap from the limitless economic potentials of our rich arable land, not run it down with some cynical comments of starvation.

He also forgot that the farmers are businessmen not charity workers.

At last we are exporting something, no one in his right mind will say anything negative about this. Way 2 go Nasarawa!

Sammy107_d:

He also forgot that the farmers are businessmen not charity workers.

And you helped me remember.
I do not fault exporting food, but I do know that thousands if not millions of Nigerians do not have enough to eat. Is the yam market in Nigeria saturated? How different is the unit price of exporting a tuber of yam compared to selling it locally? I guess the yams in the UK will be consumed principally by people of African descent? I have seen many of the imported African foods tending to rot away in European shops because of low patronage. I do not know, so these are questions that I am asking.

mekuszyx:

And you helped me remember.
I do not fault exporting food, but I do know that thousands if not millions of Nigerians do not have enough to eat. Is the yam market in Nigeria saturated? How different is the unit price of exporting a tuber of yam compared to selling it locally? I guess the yams in the UK will be consumed principally by people of African descent? I have seen many of the imported African foods tending to rot away in European shops because of low patronage. I do not know, so these are questions that I am asking.

You're missing the point. There would be a problem if a Nigerian goes to the market to buy yams, and finds them unavailable because it's being exported. As long as there are enough yams in the local market to BUY, there's noting wrong with exporting. The thousands or millions of Nigerians that don't have enough to eat don't have enough because they can't buy. You can blame the government for not providing jobs for them and all that, but don't blame the farmers and the exporters. As far as I know, yams are ridiculously cheap in Nigeria compared to most countries.

Read my title enough said

Sammy107_d:

You're missing the point. There would be a problem if a Nigerian goes to the market to buy yams, and finds them unavailable because it's being exported. As long as there are enough yams in the local market to BUY, there's noting wrong with exporting. The thousands or millions of Nigerians that don't have enough to eat don't have enough because they can't buy. You can blame the government for not providing jobs for them and all that, but don't blame the farmers and the exporters. As far as I know, yams are ridiculously cheap in Nigeria compared to most countries.

If the govt cannot provide jobs, at least it can provide food by buying up any excess yams (if at all any is excess) and redistibute to th epoor masses at very little cost. Nigerians cannot lose both ways (no job, no food). Moreover, when I was in Holland, I buy an average tuber of yam at apprx 4 Euros. That is the retail price that has the cost of transportation to the sea port, export duties, shipping and import duties accounted for at the different stages of the exportation process. So you can imagine that the initial sales price  from the farmer will be like less than 1 Euro which is less than 186 naira. I do not know what the cost of an average tube of yam is in Nigeria today-will vary depending on location. Seaport will likely be in Lagos, Warri, PH or Calabar-all expensive places. So if we find a way of doing all the math, is it worth exporting yam tubers, especially when they will be so ridiculoulsy prized from farmers by the middle men? When it gets to Europe, some rot away and that affects the prize of future exports. If we must export, why not we process the yam tubers into flour before exporting. That way, we add value to the export commodity? Export advantages of raw materials are sh-it compared to processed products.

mekuszyx:

And you helped me remember.
I do not fault exporting food, but I do know that thousands if not millions of Nigerians do not have enough to eat. Is the yam market in Nigeria saturated? How different is the unit price of exporting a tuber of yam compared to selling it locally? I guess the yams in the UK will be consumed principally by people of African descent? I have seen many of the imported African foods tending to rot away in European shops because of low patronage. I do not know, so these are questions that I am asking.

You are here displaying your warped logic again. Your display of idiocy is un-matched anywhere on these forums. The lack of adequate storage in Nigeria ensures that most farmers cannot sell what they grow and it results in waste. Is waste in Nigeria more acceptable than waste in Europe? Is it only African food produce that rots in Europe? Besides, European consumers will pay indirectly for the waste or the producer will pay on the long term for continous wastage.

Also, how will the exportation or non-exportation of yam cure hunger? Is yam the only food produce? Are the farmers in Nasarawa supposed to give their produce to hungry but non-paying customers? Did they become yam farmers so as to solve Nigeria's hunger problem? Here are people doing something to improve their lives and reduce Nigeria's trade deficit in the process and you are here trying to score cheap points in your never-ending tribal warfare with non-igbos. Why don't you engage your brain, Mr logic-is-my-enemy?

mekuszyx:

If the govt cannot provide jobs, at least it can provide food by buying up any excess yams (if at all any is excess) and redistibute to th epoor masses at very little cost. Nigerians cannot lose both ways (no job, no food). Moreover, when I was in Holland, I buy an average tuber of yam at apprx 4 Euros. That is the retail price that has the cost of transportation to the sea port, export duties, shipping and import duties accounted for at the different stages of the exportation process. So you can imagine that the initial sales price  from the farmer will be like less than 1 Euro which is less than 186 naira. I do not know what the cost of an average tube of yam is in Nigeria today-will vary depending on location. Seaport will likely be in Lagos, Warri, PH or Calabar-all expensive places. So if we find a way of doing all the math, is it worth exporting yam tubers, especially when they will be so ridiculoulsy prized from farmers by the middle men? When it gets to Europe, some rot away and that affects the prize of future exports. If we must export, why not we process the yam tubers into flour before exporting. That way, we add value to the export commodity? Export advantages of raw materials are sh-it compared to processed products.

You are being disingenuous. You expect the Nigerian govt to buy excess yam and distribute to the poor masses. What if the Nigerian government can not match the price of importers in Europe? Is Nigeria a socialist country? Why not leave mechanisms to the devices that are intended to solve the riddle like market forces, entrepreneurship, etc? If it wasn't profitable, they wouldn't be doing it. Afterall, they are probably producing the same quantity that they have been producing in recent years and the farmers would only agree to this if it is more profitable to them.

viva gworo chewers!!!!!

nigeria cannot continue to be a mono export economy

carry go!!!

Sammy107_d:

You're missing the point. There would be a problem if a Nigerian goes to the market to buy yams, and finds them unavailable because it's being exported. As long as there are enough yams in the local market to BUY, there's noting wrong with exporting. The thousands or millions of Nigerians that don't have enough to eat don't have enough because they can't buy. You can blame the government for not providing jobs for them and all that, but don't blame the farmers and the exporters. As far as I know, yams are ridiculously cheap in Nigeria compared to most countries.

I wonder.
There is food in Nigeria, it's the money to buy it, is the problem.

There is food in Nigeria - no money to buy am. chineke

Katsumoto:

What has this topic got to do with tribalism?

I do not fault exporting food

Did you read that?

[/quote]The lack of adequate storage in Nigeria ensures that most farmers cannot sell what they grow and it results in waste.[quote]

You cannot store yam indefinitely. You process it. Ode!

Also, how will the exportation or non-exportation of yam cure hunger? Is yam the only food produce?

Yams are not the only food. But it is an important food in Nigeria with enough calorie to feed the poor according to IFPRI data.

Is Nigeria a socialist country?

Even rich capitalist countries have some social welfare programs for her citizens. I do not know of any SINGLE social welfare program that Nigeria has for its poor. No job, yet no food. Buying up excess yams and redistributing to the poor is not asking too much of Nigeria. Rather than do this, some of you will prefer that the money be stolen by politician brothers.

So really mekusxyz why did you decide to make this topic? I have always wondered about the thought process that make you select topics lol

Of all things yam, in the politics section- what does this have to do with the politics of Nigeria

SEFAGO:

So really mekusxyz why did you decide to make this topic? I have always wondered about the thought process that make you select topics lol

Of all things yam, in the politics section- what does this have to do with the politics of Nigeria

Don't mind the plant scientist who allegedly pursued an MBA but ended up being a socialist. I did not think that socialism was was a discipline in MBA schools. Although I concede that his idea may fall under corporate social responsibility but when did Nigeria start caring about its citizens?

abegi so whats with the topic - nigeria exports oil while millions cannot afford n65 petrol - whats the difference?

And we export professionals too when we dont even have some people with those type of qualifications working in Nigeria. And not just Nigeria, but many countries. China exports a lot of things that a large segment of there population cannot afford

oyb:

abegi so whats with the topic - nigeria exports oil while millions cannot afford n65 petrol - whats the difference?

How many Nigerians use petrol - for cars and for generators? Are they among the rich (at least middle class) or poor?
How many Nigerians eat yams? And how many of those will do with a govt-subsidized food program?

mekuszyx:

Katsumoto:

What has this topic got to do with tribalism?

It has everything to do with tribalism because of the antecedents of the poster (you)

mekuszyx:


You cannot store yam indefinitely. You process it. Ode!

Are you having a problem with grammar now? Did you see yam anywhere near that point? I made a generic comment about farmers not being able to store what they produce.

mekuszyx:



Yams are not the only food. But it is an important food in Nigeria with enough calorie to feed the poor according to IFPRI data.

How does that answer my question? How does the exportation or non-exportation of yam affect hunger? Were people not hungry before the exportation of yam started or did they start getting hungry when the exportation started? Also, if the government wants to help, why does the govt not start initiatives to help its citizens economically? Why must they wait for some poor farmers who are about to start exporting their produce?

Katsumoto:



Are you having a problem with grammar now? Did you see yam anywhere near that point? I made a generic comment about farmers not being able to store what they produce.

This topic is about what produce?

For those of you saying there is no hunger in Nigeria. I urge you to google ''Nigeria and hunger', 'hunger in Nigeria' and such topics
After exporting 118 metric tons of Yams, we end up importing 100,000 metric tons of rice. Isn't that stu-pid?

This is not about Nasarawa state, it is about the feds.

Sefago:
You claim that you ''export''' (note export in quote) professionals (middle class)
Do you also export beggars and motor park touts (the poor that needs the fed gov social welfare program)?

mekuszyx:

For those of you saying there is no hunger in Nigeria. I urge you to google ''Nigeria and hunger', 'hunger in Nigeria' and such topics
After exporting 118 metric tons of Yams, we end up importing 100,000 metric tons of rice. Isn't that stu-pid?

This is not about Nasarawa state, it is about the feds.

Are you retarded- someone told you that the problem is purchasing of the yams and not the amount of yams. If the demand for yams in Nigeria is high, there would be no need to export it anywhere. Have you heard of yam scarcity before?

mekuszyx:

Sefago:
You claim that you ''export''' (note export in quote) professionals (middle class)
Do you also export beggars and motor park touts (the poor that needs the fed gov social welfare program)?

Another are you retarded statement? This is sounding cliche- but you actually are. I meant [b]Nigerians [/b]export professionals. I was not talking about my ethnic group you idgit. You are so predictable.

Basically whats the point of every crap you are saying?

mekuszyx:

For those of you saying there is no hunger in Nigeria. I urge you to google ''Nigeria and hunger', 'hunger in Nigeria' and such topics
After exporting 118 metric tons of Yams, we end up importing 100,000 metric tons of rice. Isn't that stu-pid?

This is not about Nasarawa state, it is about the feds.

what kind of fish bone brained thinking are you exhibiting over here ?    i should google hunger in Nigeria abi Ok what about you try to google joblessness or homelessness in New york city too  

SEFAGO:

Another are you retarded statement? This is sounding cliche- but you actually are. I meant [b]Nigerians [/b]export professionals. I was not talking about my ethnic group you idgit. You are so predictable.

Basically whats the point of every crap you are saying?

And who talked about any ethnic group here? Is your brain failing you already? Obvious your understanding capacity is limited.

mekuszyx:

For those of you saying there is no hunger in Nigeria. I urge you to google ''Nigeria and hunger', 'hunger in Nigeria' and such topics
After exporting 118 metric tons of Yams, we end up importing 100,000 metric tons of rice. Isn't that stu-pid?

This is not about Nasarawa state, it is about the feds.

You are daft. So Nigerians should only eat yam because, as you put it, it is rich in calories? Have you ever heard of trade between nations? We give you rice, you give us yam? So nations that produce one item should not barter to get what they don't have? For someone who is always bragging about educational achievements, you sure are lacking in common sense. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, what is 118 metric tons compared to 100,000 metric tons?

Katsumoto:

You are daft. So Nigerians should only eat yam because, as you put it, it is rich in calories? Have you ever heard of trade between nations? We give you rice, you give us yam? So nations that produce one item should not barter to get what they don't have? For someone who is always bragging about educational achievements, you sure are lacking in common sense. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, what is 118 metric tons compared to 100,000 metric tons?

Don't mind him. Igbo man no know how him body dey do am when e see yam. See as he's crying because of yam, lol.

Your reasoning is tethering on the parochial side, now.

Seems you are either too confused to get the finer details raised here or you are too conceited in your ignorance to accept that you goofed, and very badly too, in your assumption that YAM EXPORT IS THE CAUSE OF HUNGER IN NIEGRIA.

And too quickly you want to digress to Rice importation to cover your tracks. What has rice importation got to do with Yam exportation so soon? But if you want to know, market forces is largely responsible for Nigeria`s importation of Parboiled rice.

Before the advent of Thai parboiled rice, we ate rice. There had always been rice in Nigeria. Cast your mind back, even those in the village ate rice every Sunday afternoon. But the problem was, the rice we ate had too much stone. It took forever to cook. It was more expensive compared to Beans. It was food for the rich, then.

In no time came the parboiled rice which had no stones, cooked faster, was readily available and the price was agreeable. Naturally, market demand soared. It became a staple food everybody can afford just the same way Noodle and Spaghetti are becoming.

Market, forced the shift, not government.

The business community had been short-sighted too by allowing the import market to bludgeon the local rice because 1) rice import was quick money (Akkad, Dangote, Churchgate, Mudallabi etc) made billions from Rice in quick succession) 2)  the capital outlay to polish or parboil rice to the standard we import is huge. These merchants failed to help develop our local rice because they was no guarantee of quick return on investment. 3) Government was busy spending oil money to bother its head about such little insouciance as local rice. 4) rice is a political tool in the hands of politicians. It is.

That rice milling factory the President just opened in Zamfara may survive in the long run only if they allow the Chinese counterpart run the mill on daily basis. Should the State government run it, it will become another comatose white project like the Jigawa Rice Miling Factory.

Abeg, leave rice matter out of this. Face the yam problem wey you bring on your small head.

Katsumoto:

You are daft. So Nigerians should only eat yam because, as you put it, it is rich in calories? Have you ever heard of trade between nations? We give you rice, you give us yam? So nations that produce one item should not barter to get what they don't have? For someone who is always bragging about educational achievements, you sure are lacking in common sense. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, what is 118 metric tons compared to 100,000 metric tons?

roflmao, sometimes i just dont know how that guy reason.perhaps,i wont blame him since he doesnt eat balance diet.