The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has called on farmers in Adamawa State to embrace organic farming as a gateway to lucrative export opportunities and a viable pathway to diversify Nigeria’s economy beyond oil.
Speaking during a special capacity-building workshop for smallholder farmers in Jimeta, Yola, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, underscored the growing global demand for certified organic produce and the need for Nigeria to position itself competitively in that market.
“The main objective of the initiative is to develop capacity for a prosperous organic export,” Ayeni stated.
She explained that the training programme was designed to equip farmers with the skills required to obtain Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification—a key requirement for cooperative farming groups—and to align with stringent international organic standards.
According to her, “The strategic objective of the Council is to position Nigeria as the source of certified quality organic products.”
Ayeni cited that the global market for organic food is currently valued at over $97 billion and is projected to rise to $437 billion by 2028.
With the European Union and other regions increasing their demand for clean, traceable food sources, she stressed that Nigeria must seize the opportunity.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification through non-oil exports, the NEPC boss identified organic agriculture as a critical area that can drive export growth and sustainability.
She further urged stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to support interventions that would boost Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
As part of its support initiatives under the NEPC’s farm input scheme, Ayeni announced that the Council will provide 300 kilograms of improved SAMNUT 22 groundnut seeds to the Groundnut Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (Adamawa State chapter).
The seeds will be cultivated on eight hectares of land in Malkoli, Yola South, as a cluster model demonstration farm.
“This project,” she noted, “will be extended to other commodity associations and farming clusters across the state.”
Speaking on behalf of the Adamawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Peter Irimiya lauded the NEPC’s intervention and pledged the state’s support.
He expressed interest in further collaboration with NEPC on export activities, and personally committed to transitioning from inorganic to organic farming.
Irimiya urged all participants to take the training seriously and become what he described as “planners at the villages for export” not only within Adamawa but across Nigeria’s borders.
The event reflects NEPC’s ongoing push to stimulate rural development through export-focused agriculture and support the federal government’s economic transformation agenda.
