Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has commissioned a multipurpose commodity cleaning centre to serve as a first line value-adding facility to support exports of Shea, soyabean sesame and other commodity products in his domain.
Niger State is diversely and richly endowed with great potential for export across multiple sectors, particularly agriculture, livestock and fisheries, solid minerals, arts and crafts.
Over the years successive governments have enacted various policies to put the focus on agriculture and turn export of agro-commodities into a means of driving economic growth and rural development.
Yet there is still much left to be explored.
Its rich abundant land, centrality of its location and a varied climate capable of supporting multiple farming systems are some of the comparative advantages in Niger State, yet to be harnessed.
Now with some show of commitment the state is encouraging a flurry of export activities in identified core export crops such as soyabean, sesame, yam, Shea and cashew in which the farmers have comparative advantages.
It is crucial that these standards are maintained to meet the quality parameters of the destination market, in order to prevent rejection at the delivery locations.