Naija Philia!

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

He was speaking at a workshop with the theme “Prospects and Challenges of yam export in Nigeria”, and also added that it is the duty of Nigerians to find out what went wrong and how to address it.

He expressed concern that, with China delving into yam exportation, and considering Nigerians’ love for imported goods, Chinese yam may soon be found in Nigerian kitchens, which would increase unemployment and reduce farmers’ incomes.

Umakihe said Nigeria’s first attempts at yam export were in 2009 by Nasarawa State Government with 8.5 metric tonnes, and within same month, another 66 metric tonnes in two shipments, followed by Oyo State, but without success.

He also said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’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 export) 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 yam export from Nigeria,” he said.