By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor, Dr Abgu Kefas, has disclose that the state is blessed with fertile land for agricultural activities including the cultivation of coffee and tea.
Governor Kefas represented by the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Zanau Maikasuwa made the disclosure during a two day roundtable discussion forum on Coffee and Tea cultivation organize by the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria NACOFTAN held at ASUU Sectariate Taraba State University Jalingo.
“Taraba State is blessed with fertile land favourable climate and highland terrain suitable for Coffee and Tea farming in particular, Sardauna local government, home to the Mambilla Plateau provides one of the best environment in Nigeria for tea and high quality coffee production.
“In addition, Gashaka, Kurmi and parts of Bali local governments posses suitable ecological conditions for expanding Coffee and Tea cultivation.
According to him, those local governments have hardworking farming communities who with the right support can drive a suitable coffee and tea economy.
“Our administration has placed agriculture at the center of economic diversification.
“The development of Coffee and Tea farming across these local governments will help us move from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, create jobs for our youths and women and also increase household income.
“We are committed to promoting Coffee and Tea growing in the state to create jobs for Tarabans.
“The state government is supporting farmers with improve seedlings and mordern farming practices.
“We are also encouraging public private partnership to establish plantation, processing and packaging facilities close to production areas, particularly in Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Bali, Donga, Takum, Ussa local governments, Yangtu and Ngada Development Areas.
He said that his administration is committed to promoting value addition, ensuring that Coffee and Tea produce in the state are processed locally, adding that such will strengthen rural economy, generate employment and boost internally generated revenue.
“Coffee and Tea are not just crops, but pathways to rural development, industrial growth and global market access with coordinated efforts across our local governments, for Taraba State can become recognized hub for premium Coffee and Tea production in Nigeria and West Africa – he said.
“I call on farmers in Sardauna, Gashaka, Bali and other suitable local governments to embrace this opportunity. I also invite investors and development partners to work with the state government in unlocking these vast potentials.
“Together, we shall transform our agricultural sector and build prosperous future for Taraba State – he added.
In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said that the Federal Government of Nigerian promise to improve coffee and Tea production, seedlings and other important inputs will be distributed soon.
The Minister represented by Adamolakun Ebenezer, mentioned states like Taraba, Cross River, Plateau amongst others, have best lands for Coffee and Tea farming.
“The Ministry has plans to boost Coffee and Tea farming. We plan to improve in the farming. Very soon we will call on stakeholders to find ways on how to improve the Coffee and Tea production.
“Establishment of coffee nursery is in pipeline in the Geo political zones, where coffee can thrive well, add it with the below picture.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria NACOFTAN, Dr. Hassan Usman Kakara said that Coffee and Tea production in Nigeria hold immense potential, particularly across the country’s highlands and suitable agro – ecological zones.
“However, despite this potential, the sector continue to face challenges ranging from low productivity and outdated farming practices to limited processing capacity, week market linkages and inadequate access to finance.
According to him, the roundtable discussion will provide parties pants with platform to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas and develop practical and actionable strategies that will strengthen the entire value chains from seedling production and cultivation to processing, packaging, marketing and export.
“At NACOFTAN, we firmly believe that sustainable revitalization can only be achieved through strong collaboration between government, private sector, development partners, research Institutions and hardworking farmers.
He encourage stakeholders to engage openly, think innovatively and commit themselves to solutions that are inclusive, climate smart and economic values.
“It is our expectation that the discussion will lead to policy alignment, investment opportunities and concrete interventions that will reposition Nigeria competitively in both regional and global coffee and tea markets – he said.
He said that Coffee and Tea has been a source of income in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, China amongst others.
He listed some of the challenges to include, lack of processing facilities, Financing, donor agencies and Government support.
He said that the Association intend to give one hectare of land to Coffee and Tea farmers in each of the Four geographical for cultivation of Coffee and Tea.
“Coffee and Tea is promising and takes Three years to mature, farmers should exercise patient.
“I urge all stakeholders to register with the Association, so as to participate and benefit in all
activities. Without registration, none will participate in our activities and interventions in any of the Coffee and Tea production areas.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor of TSU, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, for being one of key stakeholder in the coffee and tea sector and appreciated the collaboration between the university, government ministries, industry players, consultants, and researchers.
“The progress in any sector requires teamwork and collaboration. This roundtable is aimed at developing practical roadmaps to address the challenges, prospects, and untapped opportunities in Nigeria’s coffee and tea industry, including the need for intercropping strategies to reduce the capital burden on farmers – added.
Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, represented by the DVC (Administration), Prof. Reuben Jonathan,
described coffee and tea as a critical economic base, but neglected area of agriculture that requires urgent revitalisation.
He emphasised the sector’s potential for job creation and economic expansion and called on stakeholders to work collectively towards producing actionable roadmaps that would significantly boost production and value addition.
Also speaking, the Director, CRI-TSU Institute of Tree Crop Research, Dr. Patrick K. Kefas, on behalf of the Local Organising Committee, salutes the encouragement of participants.
“Your participation clearly demonstrate a share believe that Coffee and Tea are not merely beverages, but strategic agricultural commodities capable of generating employment, foreign exchange earnings and suitable livelihoods for thousand of Nigerians.
According to him, historically, those crops contributed meaningfully to agricultural output and export earnings.
“Unfortunately, over the years, the sector has experienced a steady decline due to a combination of factors that includes, policy inconsistency, limited access to finance, ongoing plantations, weak value chains, inadequate research to market linkages and insufficient private sector investment amongst others.
This forum has been convened at a critical moment and we believe strongly that no single Institution or stakeholder can revitalized this sector alone – he said.