Nigerians may soon be importing yam for local consumption from China, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ernest Umakihe, has said.

Umakihe stated this while speaking at a stakeholders workshop on repositioning yam as an export crop.

He lamented that despite accounting for 67% of global yam output, it was unfortunate that Nigeria is nowhere on the map of yam exporting countries.

He expressed concerns that with China delving into yam exportation, and considering Nigerians taste for imported goods, Chinese yam may soon be found in Nigerian kitchen if care is not taken, thereby pushing more Nigerians into the unemployment market and and reducing income of yam farmers.

Umakihe said Nigerian’s first attempt at exporting yam was by Nasarawa State Government in 2009 with 8.5 metric tonnes and within the same month another 66 metric tonnes were exported in two shipments, followed by Oyo State, but without success.
He also said that the Ministry’s attempt to revive yam export in 2017 was poorly handled.

“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,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the workshop, ‘Prospects and Challenges of yam export in Nigeria’, he said it is the duty of Nigerians to find out what went wrong and how to address.

Arobaga:
God will punish Tinubu




Even the yam cassava he promised we no see eat

CodeTemplar:
Where is blue3k and his clique of statistics churners? We are top consumer and top producer, but deficit in supply doesn't mean we should all start celebrating our top producer status as consolation. It all means our status as top producer doesn't automatically position us for export or as the best cultivators around.

Cc: nairalanda1, grandstar.

Blue3k:


Lol first time you said something close to sensible regarding economics. Anyway this remains the USA beef market. They one of biggest consumers exporters and importers. Even if Nigeria becomes an exporter tomorrow it doesn't necessarily mean we will stop imports. From what I read Nigeria doesn't export because the country lacks storage and transport options.

If you're worried about the issue go Invest your money into solving it. You'll be compensated handsomely. Take a trip to Ghana or some other country and see what they're doing right. Write it off as business expense on your taxes.

Blue3k:


Lol first time you said something close to sensible regarding economics. Anyway this remains the USA beef market. They one of biggest consumers exporters and importers. Even if Nigeria becomes an exporter tomorrow it doesn't necessarily mean we will stop imports. From what I read Nigeria doesn't export because the country lacks storage and transport options.

If you're worried about the issue go Invest your money into solving it. You'll be compensated handsomely. Take a trip to Ghana or some other country and see what they're doing right. Write it off as business expense on your taxes.

CodeTemplar:
lol @ something close to sensible. That's your way of accepting your flaws I guess.

CodeTemplar:
beaf and USA is not an appropriate example. I know you don't understand the fact you are hurriedly churning out here. Import of beaf can be for onward processing and re-exporting. That puts a whole new meaning to the data and makes it inappropriate for your argument.

In other words, other countries are willing to pay for high quality US beef cuts, so some high-quality cuts are exported. Conversely, the US is a large consumer of ground beef and imports are brought in to help satisfy domestic demand for lower quality cuts of beef.

https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/World-Beef-Trade

budaatum:
I plant yam in my Osun State farm, planning to leave it in ground to grow for 2 years, then someone comes in the 7-8 month to harvest it in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile Ghana yam boku for Deptford Market at 2 for £5.

RenaissanceGuy:
If we're unable to export, how come it's this very costly? Is the abundance not supposed to make it extremely cheap??

DrAkpamudehe:

GOOD

My igbo brothers won't disappoint.
Cheaper yams on the way

budaatum:
I plant yam in my Osun State farm, planning to leave it in ground to grow for 2 years, then someone comes in the 7-8 month to harvest it in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile Ghana yam boku for Deptford Market at 2 for £5.