For whatever reason President Muhammadu Buhari chose a new Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the replacement for Audu Ogbeh must sit up to embrace the responsibilities that come with the position.
With food security, rural income growth, and job creation among the top mandates of the ministry, the new minister, Sabo Nanono, must begin to find answers to issues like why Nigeria – despite being the largest producer of yam – is displaced by Ghana as the largest yam exporter country.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, Ghana accounts for over 94 percent of total yam exports in West Africa. Shockingly, however, Ghana’s yam farmers collectively cannot produce enough yam to match the output of the leading producer of the commodity.
First Takeaway
If Nigeria indeed produces 70% of the world’s yam, it’s imperative to examine the system and identify the factors hindering the country from tapping into this lucrative export market. What’s preventing Nigeria from capitalizing on this opportunity to supplement oil revenue?
Experts Dispute the Report
During a roundtable discussion, some experts argued that the report lacks accuracy, emphasizing that the exporter’s identity is less important than the producer’s. However, closer examination reveals that Nigeria’s struggle to lead in yam exports stems from a lack of structure, process, and storage.
Ghana’s Advantage
Ghana’s success in yam exports can be attributed to its structured approach to the business. The country’s 30 million population has leveraged this advantage, showcasing effective branding in their yam markets. The Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and its agents should take note of Ghana’s branding strategies.
Key Factors
Nigeria’s poor packaging and branding sense are significant factors hindering its yam export potential. However, these challenges are surmountable. Ghana’s impressive packaging, with yams neatly packed like beverages, sets a high standard, unlike what is commonly seen in Nigeria.
Largest Exporter or Re-Exporter?
Nigerian export professionals dispute Ghana’s status as the largest exporter, arguing that Ghana buys yams in bulk from Nigeria to boost its own exports. They claim that Ghana purchases yams from Nigerian local farmers, repackages, and rebrands them as homemade products, exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders.
Learning from Ghana
This situation raises questions: Why can’t Nigeria compete favourably with its rivals? What can we learn from Ghana? The yam scenario demonstrates how effective management of limited resources can achieve significant results. Ghana’s yam producers and exporters association facilitates sales, explores trade opportunities, and ensures food safety and traceability.
Here, Nigeria can learn from Ghana’s organized approach to yam exports as the Ghana Yam and Exporters Association’s strategy ensures food safety and traceability. Also, Nigeria’s Agricultural Minister can benefit from understudying the Ghana Yam initiative. When effectively tapped into, proper management of resources and organization can lead to success in the Nigerian export game.
Ghana’s Yam Packaging Procedure
Selection – Yams are carefully chosen based on uniformity, variety, and size.
Uniformity – Only firm, defect-free, smooth, and straight yams are selected.
– Yams are cured for 7-8 days at 30°C (86°-90°F) in a well-ventilated, shady area with 90-95% relative humidity.
– Lightweight yams are avoided, as they may rot internally without visible signs.
The Nigerian Challenge
The yam challenge isn’t a unique one. It is about the same challenge faced by farmers generally operating in the country. In good records, Nigeria still struggle with;
- Lacks of good storage facilities
- Transportation system hiccups
- Dearth of machinery
- Large dependency on human limited strength
- Outside all of this is the challenge of hike in price for local consumers.
Appraising Statistics
Historical data reveals the significance of yam production in West Africa. In 1993, Global yam production was 28.1 million tons, with 96% coming from West Africa. Nigeria led as the world’s largest producer, accounting for 71% of global production (20 million tons). Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Ghana followed with 8.1%, 4.3%, and 3.5% respectively.
Yam’s importance in African culture, religious rites and economy is evident in its various culinary uses and cultural significance. Ghana seems to understand this, and is taking the right advantage.
In 2007, global yam production had increased to 52 million tons, with Africa contributing 96% (49.92 million tons). West Africa dominating production with approximately 94% (48.88 million tons) where Nigeria maintained its lead with 71% (37 million tons).
Point of reflection
Like the saying goes, man is the architect of his fate. If a 30 million population country with landmass about 3 states put together in Nigeria can lead the yam export race, a country with over 200 million in population should be more promising. That it is the leading producer doesn’t suffice.
However, having been identified as the largest producer should be enough motivation to get the country started to review its strategies in areas of export management. But, will Buhari’s new minister ever consider this?
