In a move aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and promoting export readiness among local farmers, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched a strategic intervention to support tomato cluster farmers in Kano State.
The initiative, organized by the NEPC North-West Regional Office in Kano, involved the distribution of plastic crates to 50 tomato farmers as part of a broader effort to encourage good agricultural practices (GAP), value addition, and alignment with international standards.
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Speaking at the event, the Regional Coordinator of the NEPC North-West Zone, Amina Abdumalik, emphasized the importance of equipping farmers not only with materials but also with knowledge that enhances their global competitiveness.
“We are here today to support tomato cluster farmers in Kano State—not just by donating plastic crates, but by educating them on good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices, and value addition,” she said.
According to Abdumalik, 50 farmers benefited directly from the donation of the plastic crates, which are designed to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure safer handling of tomatoes, particularly for export purposes.
She stressed that improved post-harvest handling, when combined with the adoption of best practices on the farm, could open international market opportunities for the farmers.
“If participants take today’s training seriously and implement what they’ve learned on their farms, they will not only improve the quality and quantity of their tomatoes but also meet the export standards required by international markets,” she added. “The market is out there. The challenge has been producing tomatoes the right way.”
Abdumalik further encouraged the farmers to be proactive and innovative in applying the lessons from the training, noting that small changes in production and post-harvest methods could significantly enhance their income and economic impact.
The intervention aligns with NEPC’s ongoing mission to promote non-oil exports and empower local producers with the tools and knowledge necessary to compete on the global stage. The event also featured interactive sessions on export requirements, packaging standards, and value chain development.
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the NEPC, describing the initiative as timely and impactful. They pledged to adopt the new practices and use the crates to improve the quality and shelf-life of their tomato harvests.
The NEPC’s Kano intervention is part of a nationwide effort to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector from subsistence-based production into a market-oriented system capable of meeting global demand.
