Abuja: The Federal Government has emphasized the transformative potential of Nigeria’s mango industry in driving food security, creating jobs, and boosting export earnings if stakeholders adopt innovative practices and collaborate effectively. This message was conveyed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, during the election and inauguration of the new executives of the National Association of Mango Producers, Processors, and Marketers of Nigeria (NAMPPMAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kyari, represented by Deputy Director of Horticulture, Hajiya Afusatu Babalda, highlighted mango as a significant horticultural crop with the capacity to enhance farmers’ income and expand export opportunities. He emphasized that the election of new executives is an opportunity to foster unity, encourage innovation, and advance collective interests within the mango value chain.
The Minister urged the new leadership to prioritize integrity, improved production, quality standards, value addition, and market access to transform Nigeria’s mango industry into a multi-billion-naira sector. He assured continued support from the ministry for initiatives focusing on modern technology, extension services, and access to finance.
In addition, Dr. Iniobong Adiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment, warned about the threats of climate change on mango productivity, citing erratic rainfall, flooding, and pest outbreaks. Represented by Dr. Asmau Jibril, Adiola-Awe encouraged NAMPPMAN to adopt climate-smart agriculture and invest in sustainable processing and storage to reduce post-harvest losses.
Reflecting on his tenure, NAMPPMAN’s outgoing National President, Abdulkadir Nasir, shared insights from international programmes in Ghana, Kenya, Austria, and Singapore, aimed at benchmarking global best practices. Nasir compared Nigeria’s production of about one million metric tonnes of mangoes from 120,000 hectares to Egypt’s 1.5 million tonnes, suggesting that with improved varieties, Nigeria could surpass these figures.
The newly elected National President, Dr. Garba Kangiwa, announced a strategic shift towards a tech-driven industrial ecosystem. He articulated a vision to transform Nigeria’s mango industry into a globally competitive value chain to create wealth, generate employment, and attract foreign investment.
Kangiwa also highlighted the economic value of mango cultivation, noting the use of mango seed kernels in cosmetic creams and the recycling of organic farm waste into fertiliser. He explained how smallholder farmers could sustain cash flow by using inter-cropping techniques with short-term crops.
Chief Oji Aso’a, the new National Secretary, underscored the economic potential of mango farming, likening it to an economic powerhouse. He advocated for government support to decrease post-harvest losses and enhance export capacity by empowering youth and women through the distribution of high-yield seedlings.
Mr. Goni Ahmed, Chairman of NAMPPMAN’s Board of Trustees, issued certificates to the new executives and highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of mango cultivation. He encouraged the new leadership to maintain transparency and protect smallholder farmers’ trust to achieve economic self-reliance.