FACAN to train 2,000 women, youths on agro export business in Edo

The Edo Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) on Thursday said that it had concluded plans to train 2,000 women and youths in agricultural commodity trading and export business in the state.

Prince Enahoro Ojiefoh, the State Chairman of FACAN, disclosed this during the distribution of 50,000 cashew seedlings and Sesame seeds to farmers in Benin.

FACAN in collaboration with Edo Agricultural Development Project and the State Tree Crop Unit organised the training.

Ojiefoh explained that the association’s efforts were geared toward unlocking the rural economy potential to create wealth for women and youths.

He added that the women and youths would be empowered with starter packs to begin agro commodity export businesses after the training which would begin in September.

“The association has designed a 4-year master plan to plant one million cashew trees and inject 2000 tons of Sesame seeds annually into the state economy.

“This can translate to about a minimum of N8 billion in values by the end of the fifth year.

“Nigeria generated N112.8 billion from the export of Sesame seeds representing 38.9 per cent of Nigeria’s top 10 agricultural products in 2020.

“Sesame oil also generated an estimated value of about N3.1 billion for the same period.

“The country also earned about N38.2 billion from the export of cashew nuts in 2020.

“The figures are as complied by the National Bureau of Statistics and various foreign trade reports.

“So, there are a lot of opportunities in commodity trading,’’ he said.

According to him, we seek the support of the state government and the collaboration of the organised private sector to grow the cashew and sesame value chains.

Ojiefoh explained that the association was currently working with ADP, students of Agriculture in universities and colleges in the state to nurture the four years master plan.

Also speaking, the President of Cashew Association of Nigeria, Ojo Ajanaku, commended FACAN for the laudable intervention.

Ajanaku noted that FACAN had presented an opportunity for the women and youths in Edo to take the lead in agro commodity export in Nigeria and West Africa subregion.

According to him, this initiative will help to create more jobs, improve the livelihoods of farmers and also help address climate change by planting more cashew trees to earn more foreign exchange for Nigeria.

Also speaking, Mrs Khadijat Egiebor, the General Manager, Edo Tree Crop Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, apreciated Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his giant stride in the agricultural sector.

Egiebor said: “cashew as a cash crop is one of the most sought after crop and Edo happens to be one of the South-South states with comparative advantage to grow the crop.

“So, this distribution of cashew seedlings and Sesame seeds for mass production is a step in the right direction,” Egiebor said.

According to her, the unit is committed to establishment of nursery, farm rehabilitation and advisory services among others.(NAN)