The Technical Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme says it is targeting the export of about 480 tonnes of yams, equivalent to 20 containers, every month in 2018.

Prof. Simon Irtwange, the Chairman of the committee, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the target would be achieved if all the challenges, which yam exporters experienced in 2017, were surmounted.

Irtwange said that the U.S. had made a request for the supply of five containers monthly, which amounted to 120 tonnes of yams.

“If everything works out well, the U.S. authorities say they will need about five containers every month and one container contains 24 tonnes of yams.

“We are trying to aggregate the demand from other countries; so by the time we put everything together, we should be thinking of exporting about 20 containers of yams on a monthly basis.

“When you multiply 20 by 24, the total is 480 tonnes of yams.

“We have a work plan and we have a lot of activities that we have already pencilled down.

“We are working with relevant government agencies to provide the necessary support for the programme,’’ he said.

Irtwange said that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had made available the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal to facilitate the packaging and movement of yams meant for export.

He said that the committee was also working with the NPA to get people who would invest in constructing yam pack houses at the terminal.

“The NPA has already given us the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, where we can bring our yams and do all the packaging before moving them down to the ports.

“That way, we will avoid the gridlock in Apapa because now, we are using batches to move the yams from Ikorodu to Apapa,’’ he added.

On the challenges which yam exporters encountered in 2017, Irtwange said that the committee had forwarded a report to the Federal Government on possible ways of tackling the perceptible hitches.

“On the issue of transportation, we need cold trucks; we also need yam conditioning centres.

“Presently, there is only one conditioning centre owned by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council in Zaki-Ibiam, Benue State, but that is not enough, we need more.

“On the issues of packaging and production of cartons for the yams, we are also hoping to have local investors.

“Right now, there are only two companies that can do this for us — an Indian company in Ibadan and a Chinese company in Lagos — and the problem is that in most cases, they don’t take orders for little quantities of cartons for production.

“A container will take about 1,200 cartons and when you go to the companies for the production of 1,200 cartons, they will say it is too small.

“We are also thinking that if there are people that can produce the cartons in small quantities, things will be okay. We want to get those who can produce small quantities of cartons for sale to yam exporters,’’ he added.


http://www.metronaija.ng/nigeria-export-480-tonnes-yams-monthly/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

I believe one day nigeria would export more than it imports, and we would be free from the shackles of debts and value our brands

more yams to our frying elbow

Where is the money?

Mchew tomorrow they will return d yam as one useless finished products and we go dey fight over it...

thats good

Now you will see how expensive yam will be

How many states do produce yam in large quantity that you can export

under this administration the country is always "trying to", "about to", "will soon". always being futuristic in their plans. when will we see news like "Nigeria exports 600 tons of yam?". scam of a government

great

Ah Ah e don reach us chop belefuf reach like that ?

Is obvious Govt of Nigeria can not make headline with "To". Most headlines coming from Govt contain "TO"

What is the U.S. doing with 120 tonnes of yams every month?

nd we here neva see yam to chop dem dey talk abt exporting

The US is not in the business of importing yams

Ok

The yams will still be rejected as usual. Feed Nigerians first. They need it more

nigeria never comes out to say we are, its always we are going to....i never see this kine country before.

Is a balant lie


.......


It maybe true o

okay.

I just want yam to be cheap and more of pounded yam. YOLO

When i never see yam chops

Oil money, we are not seeing, yams money we are not seeing either.

Nigeria government officials and president Buhari's cabals stop stealing Nigerian taxpayers money for 2019 election.


Fulani herdsmen terrorists are killing Nigerians on daily basis, Fulani president and his government officials are starving Nigerians on the other hand. By exporting out little food Nigerians are not seeing to eat out of electorates reach.
Why not Buhari and APC open up importation borders to Nigerians let Nigerians importing let the government exporting? Let it be a win - win citizens and government.

It's a good development.

Rubbish, when the one we have here is not enough for the whole country they are here talking of exports to other countries. What a joke

This government and stupid publicity stunt. Buhari and his goons have redefined underperformance.

And I'm going to be one of the major exporter this year

Country that have not yet achieved self sufficiency, wants to start exporting such amount of yams. Lord help us.