The Nigerian Export Promotion Council says it has distributed improved seedlings to farmers in Zamfara, particularly those in cluster farming groups in eight communities in the state.

The NEPC coordinator, Yusuf Ismaila, who distributed the seedlings in Rawayya, Bungudu LGA, said the distribution of the seedlings was part of efforts to boost groundnut production for export purposes.

“The council observed that farmers’ products did not meet the standard for export during the post-harvest handling program of groundnut value chain development.

“Although the farmers produced a lot, lack of uniformity and richness in the required content prevented the commodities from competing in the international market.

“To promote the ‘One State, One Product’ policy, the council decided to distribute groundnut seedling interventions to cluster farmers in the state. So far, 40 clusters of farmers in eight communities have been provided with the Samnuts 24, which is the latest improved groundnut seedling,” he said.

He advised the benefiting communities to register their cluster farming groups with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

In his remarks, the district head of Rawayya, Nuhu Maigari, promised to ensure that farmers produce a uniform product at the end of the farming season.

(NAN)