Experts Urge FG to Enforce Shea Nut Export Ban, Strengthen Local Agricultural Value Chain

As part of efforts to revive Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, experts have called on the Federal Government to set up a monitoring and evaluation team to ensure effective implementation of the recent ban on Shea nut export.

The call was made by guests on Perspective, a Kapital FM programme in Abuja, where the discussion centered on the theme: “From Raw Export to Local Processing: Rethinking Nigeria’s Natural Resources.”

Speaking on the programme, the National President of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), Chief Daniel Okafor, outlined three key value chain principles: production, processing, and marketing. He urged researchers to deepen exploration into the potential of agricultural produce to maximize benefits.

Chief Okafor noted that inconsistency in policy management remained a major challenge, while advocating for a more supportive environment through soft loans and provision of agricultural inputs to encourage farmers and enhance productivity.

Also contributing via telephone, a retired agriculturist from the Nasarawa State Education Board, Mr. Timothy Ajao, applauded the government for introducing the ban. He emphasized the importance of policies that would strengthen local producers, boost processing, and create employment opportunities in the sector.

Mr. Ajao further called for collective efforts among stakeholders, guided by sincerity of purpose and strategic policies, to reposition Nigeria’s agricultural sector in line with international best practices.