With the realities of tight fiscal policies and diminishing allocation, Plateau and Niger states have adopted different strategies to save crops and fruits in their states during the harvest season,preserve and package them for export to earn foreign exchange.
It is projected that their contributions to agri-produce export would boost Nigeria’s earnings to $15 billion annually.To make this happen, each state is building cargo facilities and associated infrastructure for preservation, conditioning and packaging of farm produce for export.
For the farm produce to be fit for export, the states are working to meet Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS), which Nigeria has over the years found it difficult to meet. GAPS requirements, which begin from the farm, include input in growing crops for export.
For Niger State, the government in partnership with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has collaborated to build cargo facility at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna. Also, the state government isworking to utilise the airport infrastructure maximally for export of farm produce.
The Niger State government has secured an impressive investment exceeding N1 trillion from Chinese firms, aimed at establishing a Special Agro-Industrial ProcessingZone (SAPZ) to enhance agricultural productivity and position the state as a key player in agro-industrial processing.
The Niger State Government said the SAPZ is focused on creating a world-class infrastructure network that includes agro-based airport facilities, modern roads, and rail connections.
The government said it is establishing Minna Airport City, “with its large warehouses and logistics vehicles, that is designed to export perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and processed food products. Additionally, improved road and rail infrastructure ensures that agricultural produce can move from farms to processing centres and on to export facilities with minimal delays. The integrated logistics system is key to positioning Nigeria as a leader in agricultural exports.
“The state already providedagro-based cargo facilities atMinna Airport, which is being developed into a major hub for exporting of agricultural products, with state-of-the-art facilities for handling perishable goods and other export-ready items. The state is also developing road, rail, and logistics infrastructure, as the SAPZ includes enhanced road and rail networks, ensuring efficient movement of goods from farms to processing centres and export terminals.
“Minna Airport City provides businesses with direct access to international markets, allowing for quick and efficient export of agricultural goods. The enhanced logistics infrastructure reduces transportation costs and delays, ensuring that perishable goods reach markets on time and in prime condition. The export of farm produce which is expecting private sector participants is fully funded by the state government. When completed, the project is expected to catapult the revenue of the state to new heights. The Niger State Government will support infrastructure development and offers incentives for businesses that invest in logistics and transportation solutions.”
On Wednesday, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, met with the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the building and utilisation of state-of-the-art cargo terminal at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos.
“The Jos Airport is one of the oldest airports in this country, having started way back in 1972-73. And Jos, as you know, is one of the regional hubs in northern Nigeria, and a regional hub for agriculture and other produce. And for years, this plan has been on the drawing board to be able to upgrade the Jos Airport to an international cargo airport.
“Mutfwang plans to establish cargo terminal with farm produce processing and preservation facilities to prepare them for export. This intentional effort has been on the plan for a long time but now it is at the tuft of implementation.
He noted that for years, farmers have toiled, producing world-class potatoes, maize, vegetables, and fruits, only to see their hard work wither away due to limited market access,” Kuku said.
According to Mutfwang, the partnership with FAAN is not just about building infrastructure but about building dreams, creating opportunities, and unleashing Plateau’s boundless agricultural potential onto the global stage.
Like the Nigerian government, the Plateau governor invited stakeholders to invest in packaging facilities, storage solutions, and transportation infrastructure that will connect farmers to the world.
The governor said the partnership is a declaration of economic independence for farmers and a step towards making Nigeria’s agricultural promise a reality.
“We are not just upgrading an airport – we are upgrading dreams,”Mutfwangadded.
He recalled that in 2024, the state government set up a Plateau commodities marketing company to become an aggregation centre for food produce.
“And we believe that we are on the right track. And hopefully, that would complement the special agro-processing zone, which we will soon on-board, hopefully before the year runs out, in partnership with the African Development Bank.And so, there is a lot that is going on in terms of commercial activity. Close to the airport, we also have the dry inland port, which we are discussing with the private sector to see how to move it forward,” the governor said.
African Development Bank (AfDB), which has started partnering with some states in Nigeria, is also partnering with Plateau State. The objective of AfDB is to see that Nigeria is able to feed itself and be able to export farm produce overseas to earn forex.
Kuku, expressed the full support of the agency in enabling Plateau State government to realise its set goals in agricultural development and export of farm produce.
Kuku regretted that every year, farm produce worth N3.5 trillion are allowed to waste in Nigeria. “Farm produce are in unlimited demand overseas but Nigeria is not yet prepared to package these produce and export them overseas to earn the well sought for dollars, Kuku said.
According to Kuku, “I do want to say that when N3.5 trillion worth of food perishes annually in Nigeria, while global markets hunger for our produce, we know that something must change. We are in a nation that has the potential to drive a critical amount of produce and exports. But due to the lack of the necessary infrastructure for us to store, for us to process, for us to be able to move from farm to market, we have lost a significant amount of that produce.
“But today, that change begins. We hope this makes it a historic turning point in driving Nigeria’s agricultural exports. And we also see that Plateau State will not just be another dot on the map. It is indeed a testament to nature’s generosity, picture-breath-taking landscapes, where temperature, climate, nurture crops year-round. This is more than land. It is our heritage, our promise, and our future. For years, we have watched farmers toil, producing world-class potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
“But we have also seen them wither away, either due to limited market access, some of the issues with insecurity, as we discussed a couple of weeks ago. And we have witnessed countless meetings endured by broken promises and faced sceptics who say this day will never come.”
Today, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and the Plateau State government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, are joining forces to transform the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos into a premier cargo hub, Kuku said.
