In an effort to improve the production and exportation of coffee, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained around 200 coffee farmers in Plateau State.
A one-day capacity-building event was organized on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Jos, aimed at improving the abilities of participants from Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas.
The Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr Samson Idowu, has stated there was a need for the workshop to enhance the production of the commodity in the state.
He pointed out that the production of the commodity was on the decline in Plateau State, despite the fertile soil for its production.
Idowu said, “The workshop was part of efforts at facilitating the government’s agenda on diversification of the non-oil sector and to boost export potentials of the country.
“This workshop is necessitated by the findings of a survey carried out by the council some months ago, where it was discovered that the production of coffee in Plateau was on the decline.”
He stressed that tackling some of the challenges confronting coffee production made the council bring together seasoned experts to engage in strategic enlightenment programmes.
Speaking further, he stated that the event was organised to equip coffee farmers, processors, and other stakeholders in the coffee value chain with the necessary skills and knowledge to increase productivity, improve quality, and reduce post-harvest losses.
According to him, the council’s dedication to promoting the growth and variety of the economy’s non-oil sector spurred it to organise the workshop to further advance the Federal Government’s “Export for survival” campaign.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of Riyom Local Council Area, Mr Yakubu Elisha, expressed his appreciation to NEPC for providing the training and encouraged the farmers to take it seriously to benefit from the knowledge gained and improve the production of the commodity, thereby meeting the country’s export demands.
Some beneficiaries at the training appreciated NEPC for the opportunity and appealed to the government to assist them with seedlings and funding to help boost production of the commodity.
