The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says the council distributed 4,633 hybrid seedlings to farmers across the country.

Nonye Ayeni, director-general of the NEPC disclosed this while presenting the first quarter progress report on the non-oil export performance for 2025.

Ms Ayeni said that in Kogi State, farmers benefited from oil palm seedlings as a start-up seed intervention to boost exports.

“In Akure, over 2,000 cocoa seedlings were distributed to farmers for the planting season.

“In Gusau, Zamfara State, groundnut seedlings were distributed to eight communities for cluster farming in the state.

“Also, in Bayelsa State, the council distributed 1,500 hybrid cocoa seedlings,’’ she said.

Ms Ayeni further said that 1,100 coffee seedlings and 100 bags of organic fertiliser were distributed to 148 coffee farmers from Chaha and Vom communities in Plateau State.

The director-general said that the NEPC was committed to ensuring conformity to quality and standards to curb rejects and reduce contract cancellations.

According to her, on this note, the council working with the International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva has validated the baseline study for sesame and cowpea value chains.

Ms Ayeni said the council was selected as one of four business support organisations in the world and only one in Africa, to implement phase one of the Women Exporters in Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund.

“This 50-million-dollar fund, launched in February 2024 by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will support Women-led Businesses to participate actively in global digital trade.

“Applications have begun in earnest, and we encourage every women-led business to apply,” she said.

The D-G said that to facilitate the ease of doing business and seamless documentation processes, the council registered a total of 1,129 new exporters.

She also noted that 16 exit points were used in the period under review to export non-oil products from Nigeria.

She added that approximately 95 per cent of the total non-oil exports were routed through seaports.

According to her, in total, six seaports, three international airports and seven land borders served as exit points for Nigeria’s non-oil exports.

Ms Ayeni said that the council would continue to strengthen its relationship with developmental partners and trade organisations.

“The council will continue its existing projects as well as new initiatives, all geared toward increasing the volume and value of non-oil exports.

“The NEPC will remain committed to curbing rejects, promoting value addition, enhancing market access and strengthening partnerships.

“At NEPC, we remain resolute and committed to driving up the volume and value of non-oil exports for sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” she said.

(NAN)