PRODUCE OF NIGERIA

PRODUCE OF NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria produces a wide range of agricultural commodities, which could serve as raw materials for industrial production in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Top on the list of agricultural commodities in Nigeria are Cocoa, Cotton, Accha, Soya beans, Sorghum, Maize, Cassava, Gum Arabic, Ginger, Sesame Seeds, Sheanuts, Cashew nuts and Cowpea.

While the tree crops such as cocoa and cashew are produced in the southern pan of the country, cereal crops such as soya beans, sorghum, maize, sesame seeds and cowpea are produced in the savannah belt in Nigeria. Also produced in the savannah belt are ginger, gum Arabic and sheanuts.

With the Nigerian Government's current efforts at increasing output in the agricultural sector, more volumes of agricultural produce are available for external trade.

Below is synopsis of the production areas and uses of the major agricultural products of Nigeria.

Soybean

Soybean (Glycine Max) is a legume which is produced in the middle belt of the country of which Benue State is the largest producer in Nigeria. It produces about 48% of the total natural output of 352,000 metric tonnes per annum.

Soybean is an important source of high quality and inexpensive protein and oil. With an average protein content of 40% and oil content of 20%, soybean has the highest protein content of all food crops and is second only to groundnuts in terms of oil content amongst food legumes.

The oil produced from soybean is highly digestible and contains no cholesterol. Soybean is the largest single source of edible oil and accounts for roughly 50% of the total seed oil production worldwide. Nigeria has only one variety of soybeans which is yellow in colour.

Soybeans is used for production of milk, edible oil and animal feeds. It is also useful in the treatment of malnourished children particularly in the sub-Saharan, Asian and Latin American countries.

Cocoa

Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) is the second major non-oil foreign exchange earner in Nigeria after leather. It is produced in 16 states of the federation namely Ondo, Cross River, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Abia, Kwara, Ebonyi, Rivers, Taraba and Adamawa with an annual production of 400,000 metric tones however 98% of this is exported. It provides means of livelihood, sustenance and employment opportunities to over five million Nigerians, In the year 2005 alone, export revenue from the sale of cocoa amounted to US$136.7 million.

Nigeria along with Cote d'lvoire and Ghana all in West Africa, account for about 70% of the world's cocoa production.

Major market destinations for Nigeria's Cocoa are: Netherlands, U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, USA and Japan. Other markets being explored are the emerging economic powers of China and India. Stakeholders in the cocoa sub-sector in Nigeria are: Stanmark Nigeria Ltd, Olam Nigeria Ltd, Export logistics Ltd, Nivik Investments Ltd and Multitrex investments Limited.

Cotton

Cotton (Gossypium) is a major agricultural and industrial crop in Nigeria, providing employment and means of livelihood to about 2 million Nigerian families. A total of 24 states of the Federation produce cotton namely: Katsina, Zamfara, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Kwara, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ogun. The average annual production is about 250,000 metric tonnes against a total world production of 20.5 million metric tones.

Major market destinations for Nigeria's cotton are the EU, China, South Korea and Taiwan.

Major stakeholders in the cotton sector in Nigeria are: Olam Nigeria Ltd, Nigeria Seed Cotton Ltd, West African Cotton Processing Company, National Seed Service and AFCOT Nigeria Ltd.

The crop has occupied a strategic position in the economic activities of Nigeria, providing both food and fibre for the rapidly expanding vegetable oil and textile industries in the country. Thus unlike cocoa, cotton has a strong backward linkage with domestic industries which consume up to 50% of the total annual production.

Cassava

Cassava (Manihort Esculentus (Euphorbiacea)) is grown in all the states of the Federation with the current production level being about 45 million metric tonnes per annum; a figure expected to double by 2020. Nigeria is the leading cassava producer in the world, producing a third more than Brazil and almost double the production capacity of Thailand and Indonesia. Although it is the world leader in cassava production, 90% of the annual production in Nigeria is targeted for the domestic food market.

The Nigerian Presidential Initiative on Cassava, which was launched in 2003, brought cassava and its potentials to the national limelight. This initiative created tremendous market opportunities both at home and abroad. There is now increased use of cassava as industrial raw material by feed mills, starch producers, chips and pellets, ethanol, glucose syrup as well as cassava four for bread making.

The business opportunities created has led to increased local investments in the cassava processing industry such as the Cassava Glucose Syrup Factory which when commissioned would require 132,000 metric tonnes of fresh cassava tubers annually to produce 26,000 metric tonnes of glucose syrup. There is also the Cassava processing factories for flour, and starch in various pads of the country.

There are opportunities for Nigeria to earn about US$12 billion per annum from cassava and its bye-products. Cassava has the potential to industrialize Nigeria more than any other product if its potentials are properly harnessed, cassava will not only be a white gold but an alternative to oil as a non-oil foreign exchange earner and a key instrument for job creation and catalyst for development.

Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) is grown in the Sahelian zone of the country, covering 14 States of the Federation namely Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Niger with an estimated population of 4 million Nigerians engaged in its cultivation and trade. Gum Arabic is a natural gum that exudes from the exterior of Acacia trees in the form of dry, hard nodules. There are over 1,100 Acacia species worldwide. However Acacia Senegal and Acacia Seyal are the most commercially exploited species. Nigeria has three grades of Gum Arabic, Acacia Senegal (grade 1) Acacia seyal (Grade 2)and Combretum (Grade 3).

The major Acacia utilized for commercial Gum Arabic production in Nigeria are Acacia Senegal and Acacia seyal.

Nigeria is the 2nd largest producer of the crop in the world after Sudan with average production of 20,000 metric tonnes of all grades of Gum Arabic. In the year 2004, world production of Gum Arabic was put at 70,000 metric tonnes while Nigeria's production amounted to 18,935 metric tonnes with export earning of US$88.08 million, Due to the ability of the Gum Arabic tree to withstand adverse environmental conditions, it has become a potent weapon in the continued fight against desertification and environmental degradation in the Sahelian belt of the country.

Gum Arabic is used as thickener, suspender, emulsifier, stabilizer, flavour carrier, binder and encapsulating material. In addition, it is used in confectionaries, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and chemical industries. Major markets for the product are: Belgium, China, USA, U.K and Japan.

To sustain the supply of Gum Arabic to both local and international markets, efforts are being made to establish a Gum Arabic Security Stock in the three leading producing countries (Sudan, Nigeria and Chad) with the support of the GAO, Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA) and Association of International Producers of Gum Arabic (AIPG). This will lead to rapid development of natural gum as a national resource for fighting poverty, desertification and environmental degradation.

The National strategy for Gum Arabic is to encourage local value addition through increased local processing in order to attract better returns on investments. This is more so considering the fact that for every one kilogramme of processed Gum Arabic there is value added of US$5.00. Thus, apart from providing more income, local processing creates job opportunities thereby empowering our people.

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) is produced in six states of the Federation namely, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger and Gombe with Kaduna as the major producer. Nigeria's production in 2005 was estimated at 110,000 metric tonnes (FAO). Out of this, 10% is locally consumed as fresh ginger while 90% is dried primarily for the export markets.

The commodity is highly valued in international markets for its aroma, pungency and high oil and Aleo resin content. Nigeria is the third largest exporter of ginger in the world after China and India.

Ginger is an important Nigerian export crop. The major market destinations are the UK, USA, Japan, Canada, Belgium, Germany and the Middle East.

The major stakeholders are Belphins Nigeria Limited, Goldchains International and Olam Nigeria Limited.

Sesame Seed

Sesame seeds (sesamum indicum) belong to the plant family Pedaliaceae. it is an important oilseed crop believed to have originated from tropical Africa. 25% of world sesame seed hecterage is planted in Africa and Nigeria is one of the major producers of sesame seed in Africa. It is found predominantly in Benue and Jigawa States in Northern Nigeria. It is one of the oldest food and cash crop in Nigeria which is produced in 21 states of the Federation. The commodity ranks second to cocoa in terms of volume of export and foreign exchange earnings. Global production in 2005 was put at 2.4 million metric tonnes with China and India as leading producers. Nigeria is the 5th largest producer of the commodity in the world with an estimated production of 120,000 metric tones annually.

Global export for the commodity amounted to 900,000 metric tonnes while Nigeria exports about 80,000 metric tonnes annually valued at US$68.0 million. Major market destinations for Nigeria's sesame seed are: Japan, EU, Korea, China, Turkey and the Middle East.

Sesame seed is used for oil, roasted seed, soup, spice, seed, confectionary, industrial raw material for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics soap etc.

Sheanut

The shea tree (Butyrospermum Parkii) is a precious natural resource which grows in the wild across the Sudan-Sahelian region of Africa. The major producing countries are: Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic. Nigeria is currently the leading producer of sheanut in the world and in 2004 Nigeria's production of the commodity was 414,000 metric tonnes with export value of US$61.04 million (Source: FAO).

Apart from its role as an important raw material shea butter is used in the manufacture of chocolate and other confectioneries. It is also used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Major destinations for Nigeria's sheanut are the EU and Japan while for the shea butter are Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Cashew

Cashew (Anacardium Occidentale) is produced in 28 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In 2004, Nigeria's production of cashew amounted to 60,660 tonnes out of which, 30,510 tonnes were exported at a value of US$22.27 million. With the present emphasis of the Nigerian Administration on the development of non-oil export programmes, cashew industry is experiencing a major turn around.

Major stakeholders in the cashew industry in Nigeria are; Cocoa Research institute of Nigeria (CRlN) Cashew Association of Nigeria (CAN), Olam Nigeria Ltd. Safari Trade Ltd Abdulson Nigeria Ltd Fagro Venture Nigeria Ltd Asia Commodities Nigeria Ltd, Century Export Ltd, LMB O'sea Nigeria Ltd and Seacon Nigeria Ltd.

The main export destination for Nigeria's cashew is India. Others are Vietnam, South Africa, U.K. and USA.

Other Produce

Other produce are Maize Accha (Digitaria exilis), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Maize (Zea Mays) Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L) Moench). Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L) Moench). These crops are grown in the savannah regions of Nigeria. They each have two varieties, white and yellow, although Accha is white and brown.

(i) Accha (Digitaria exilis) is grown in the Central and North Eastern parts of Nigeria. It is consumed mainly as a cereal. The grain tastes similar to rice. It may be consumed directly, cooked in porridges and four creams similar to grits and wheat cream.

(ii) Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a grain legume largely grown in the northern part of Nigeria which has a savannah type of vegetation with light rainfall. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cowpea, as it produces over 2.7 million metric tonnes of cowpeas with an average yield per hectare of 417 kg. It produces the white and brown varieties.

(iii) Maize (Zea Mays) is grown in all parts of the country as it is a versatile crop that grows across a range of agro-ecological zones, though it is grown slightly more in the Northern pad of the country. Two types of maize are grown in Nigeria Yellow and White. Maize apart from being eaten as it is on the cob, is used as food in form of porridges Corn fakes and popped grains. However, more than 60% of Nigeria's production of maize is consumed by the industrial sector for production of flour, beer, malt drink, corn flakes, starch, syrup, dextrose and animal feeds.

(iv) Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L) Moench) is a grass of East African origin, which is grown in the North of Nigeria. Sorghum is the 4th important cereal after wheat, rice and maize and is used as a maize substitute for livestock feeds because of their similar nutritional values. It is also used for distilled beverages, Condiments, ethanol and alcoholic beverages.

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