By Nafisat Busari, Umar Salihu Adamu
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Niger State Commodity Export Promotion Agency (NSCEPA), and Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Niger State Office are strengthening their collaboration to drive industrial growth through a strategic Shea value chain development investment forum.
This was the focus of discussions during a high-level meeting at the RMRDC Niger State Coordinating Office in Minna, where the RMRDC State Coordinator, Dr. Abdulrasheed Mohammed, hosted a delegation from NSCEPA, led by Acting Director-General Mr. Baba Etsu Yankpa.
Mr. Baba Etsu Yankpa reaffirmed NSCEPA’s commitment to partnering with RMRDC in organizing the forthcoming Shea nut value chain investors’ forum. He commended RMRDC’s Agricultural Development Programme, particularly its efforts in distributing improved seeds and seedlings to farmers through its annual boosting program. He also informed the gathering that the agency is currently conducting capacity-building training for farmers on sugar beet farming and processing and therefore seek for RMRDC partnership.
In response, the Niger State Coordinator of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Abdulrasheed Mohammed, outlined the primary objectives of the upcoming Shea nut value chain investors’ forum, emphasizing its role in bridging the demand-supply gap, unlocking economic potential, and educating investors on the profitability of Shea production.
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He revealed that the event will foster business linkages between local and international investors and unveil new investment opportunities in Shea processing and marketing.
“The forum will also facilitate direct engagement between investors and policymakers, aligning with Nigeria’s national industrialization agenda,” he said.
Dr. Abdulrasheed said the initiative aims to attract over 50 investors to propel growth in the Shea nut sector, with policies and innovations driving its development. The State Coordinator further assured the delegates of RMRDC’s commitment to partnering with them in sugar beet value chain development in the state, noting that the Council has already initiated a sugar beet project and that efforts are in top gear to resume its continuation.
Furthermore, the Coordinator highlighted the importance of a new bill mandating 30% value addition to raw materials before export, a move aligned with federal and state industrialization goals.
Dr. Abdulrasheed disclosed that RMRDC has successfully designed and developed a Shea butter processing machine, now available for commercialization.
