BEVERLY HILLS, June 06, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) has charged local manufacturers in Cross River State to take advantage of its services to boost their export drive.
Emmanuel Etim, the Trade Promotion Advisor of the Council, made the call during a one-day capacity building workshop.
The workshop was held at the instance of cassava farmers in Cross River State in conjunction with the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association.
It aimed at developing the value chain mechanism for the export market, given the high demand for the crop globally and facilitate smooth assess to available incentives in cultivation.
Etim listed the focal points of the programme to include: Developing an export-oriented mindset amongst the growers and acquainting them with trending technological innovation in the field.
Others are to enhance capacity for bumper harvest as well as expose stakeholders to global best practices in packaging for the international market.
Okon Owuna, the State Commissioner for Agriculture in his speech called on youths to embrace cassava farming in view of the bright prospects and potentials in the sector.
He maintained that agriculture remained the viable option available to surmount the present economic nightmares.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce, Rosemary Archibong said that the state government was poised to revolutionise the agric sector and exploit the benefits of the Free Trade Zone in Calabar.
In his remark, the state Chairman, Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, Augustine Oqua, urged the government to expedite action on the distribution of acquired land to enable members commence cultivation with the onset of the rains.
Farmers across the state called for transparency to ensure that grants and incentives got to real famers or risk truncating the Federal Government initiative.
The training session featured lecture series and practical demonstrations by resource persons drawn from the University of Calabar and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan in Oyo State.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
