Reps want FG to formulate policies that will boost yam production

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Federal Government to boost yam tubers production through targeted incentives to the farmers from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Agriculture Insurance Corporation
(NAIC), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and Commercial Banks;
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to carry out policy reviews to regulate and supervise agencies responsible for exportation in Nigeria to boost exportation;
The resolutions of the House followed a motion co sponsored by Hon. Akume Regina, member representing Gboko Tarkaa Federal Constituency, and Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola, (APC, Lagos)
The motion titled “Need to Formulate Policies that will foster Exportation and Boost Yam Production in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria”.
The House noted that yam is one of the most widely consumed food crops in Nigeria and a major cash crop cultivated in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria;
The House said it was aware that the producers of yam are heavily reliant on its consumers due to the lack of a proper storage system in place that guarantees its availability and freshness over a long period;
The House also said that the exportation of yam is highly recommended to boost Nigeria’s earning capacity, its external reserves, and its value chain. Unfortunately, exportation is not a thriving business option in Nigeria due to bottlenecks created by regulatory agencies;
The House is worried that those engaged in the business of exportation do so outside the purview of the agencies
responsible for promoting the trade by employing the services of local packaging producers or moving their operations to more business-friendly economies like Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Benin Republic.
The House said it was also worried that the Nigerian farmers are the primary suppliers of raw materials for the “Fresh Yam Produce in Ghana”.