Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has pledged to support farmers of groundnut with skills and modern inputs to produce in larger quantities to meet the demands of the global market.
The Head of Trade Promotion Advisor Zamfara State Chapter, Alhaji Yusuf Ismail Ahmed stated this while declaring open a one-day sensitization workshop organized for groundnut farmers in Maru Local Government Area of the state.
He said that, the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council, NEPC was established in 1976 as the Nigeria’s apex institution for the promotion, development and diversification of exports.
According to him, over the years NEPC worked to achieve its mandate though coordinating and harmonizing export development and promotion activities in the country taking the lead in all national export programs, interfacing with international trade agencies on cooperation and capacity building
He therefore called on the participants to use the knowledge acquired during the training and apply to their various farms as well as disseminate same to other farmers in their localities towards achieve the desired objectives.
Malam Ismail added that, NEPC provide knowledge-based and practical solutions for every phase of the business life cycle including helping farmer to document idea, draw up a business plan, registering business, raising finance, obtaining permits/licenses, tax compliance and debt recovery services.
In a presentation, titled “Agronomic Practices on groundnut production in Nigeria”, An Agric Extension Worker Malam Ma’aruf Musa Muh’d described groundnut farming as one of the commercial farming which attracts international markets.
He also mentioned some challenges in the production of groundnut especially in the northern part of the country which include rainfall variability, drought, poor soil fertility among others.
Malam Ma’aruf advised farmers to always plant their crops on time during the rainy season and to consult Agric extension workers for possible advises in order to achieve the desired objectives.
Some of the participants expressed satisfaction on the new farming techniques, advices and counseling they have acquired during the training and assured to stepdown the knowledge to others.
Similar program for cotton farmers was also organized at Kwatarkwashi in Bungudu Local Government Area of the State.
COV/SANI HARUNA DUTSINMA