By Olamide Martins Ajayi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council has partnered the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, and the Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa to inaugurate the Nigeria Coffee Revival Initiative Steering Committee as part of efforts to reposition the country’s coffee industry.
The committee was inaugurated on June 16 at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State, with stakeholders across the coffee value chain, including farmers, processors, exporters, investors, financial institutions and development partners in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the RMRDC Oyo State Coordinator, Mr Adeogun O.A., said Nigeria must adopt a coordinated approach to restore coffee production and improve its competitiveness in the global market.
He noted that the initiative is expected to drive economic growth, boost non-oil exports, create jobs and promote climate-resilient agricultural practices.
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Participants identified increased investment, research, improved planting materials, extension services and stronger institutional collaboration as critical to revitalising the coffee sector.
Stakeholders also resolved to develop a national database of coffee farms to support evidence-based policy formulation, investment planning and effective implementation of development programmes.
The steering committee further advocated climate-smart farming practices, improved processing, value addition, access to finance and stronger market linkages to enhance farmers’ incomes and Nigeria’s export competitiveness.
Discussions also focused on developing a national coffee identity through improved quality standards, certification, branding and strategic marketing to position Nigerian coffee in regional and international markets.
The committee stressed the need to provide coffee farmers and cooperatives with improved seedlings, technical support, training, financial linkages and better market access to increase production.
The inauguration produced a strategic roadmap for the sustainable growth and commercialisation of Nigeria’s coffee industry while strengthening collaboration among public and private sector stakeholders towards making coffee a key contributor to the country’s economic diversification.
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