Despite the vast economic opportunities embedded in the global horticulture market, estimated at about $1.5b, the continent of Africa contributes only a paltry of four per cent to its export.
The Chief Executive Officer, Produce Export Development Alliance (PEDA), Adetiloye Aiyeola, who disclosed this during the re-launch of PEDA, formerly known as the Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN), urged farmers to tap into the opportunity and focus on producing exportable agricultural produce.
“The global horticulture market is about $1.5b, yet Africa contributes only four percent to horticulture export. The vision of PEDA is to see farmers fully tap into the vast horticultural export market, which is still under-utilised due to poor standard compliance amongst many agribusinesses and farmers.
“What we hope to do is to connect the vast horticultural and agribusinesses in a way that will bring about dramatic shifts in the food value chain. This connection will include logistics and service providers,” he said.
Aiyeola stressed that the organisation will leverage its international connections by providing agribusinesses with the necessary network, which will help to strategically access international markets.
“Our mission is to provide a world-class opportunity for agribusinesses to network within the space, and access international and local markets. Also, we aim to create opportunities for business development through trade missions, facilitations and events,” he stressed.
According to him, despite significant opportunities for volume expansion, Nigeria’s participation in global agricultural trade remains limited, emphasising that given the government’s commitment to boosting foreign exchange, the primary objective should be promotion of export of value-added products.
He added that PEDA provides a vital platform to address the gaps identified between producers and global markets, thereby enhancing trade opportunities.
Furthermore, he said it plays a crucial role in directly increasing farmers’ incomes by granting access to improved markets and value-added opportunities.
He pointed out that PEDA is taking significant measures to expand market access for Nigerians, with the objective of facilitating the entry of agricultural export goods and services on more advantageous and competitive terms.
Aiyeola indicated that PEDA is leading various trade missions to introduce Nigerians to international collaboration and innovation within the food value chain.
He disclosed that Saudi Arabian authorities are opening their markets to Nigerian exports, reiterating the organisation’s commitment to connecting producers with enhanced marketing and technical assistance to elevate agricultural revenue.
The CEO also highlighted that PEDA will support initiatives such as technical exchange programmes, collaborative research, and capacity-building efforts.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Director, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr. Olufemi Oladunni, said the country has arable and fertile land to feed its 200 million people.
“We need to start thinking about how to produce not just for ourselves but for other people. We also must get to a point where our food produce consistently meets international market standards.”
Oladunni called on farmers and agribusinesses to strive towards producing healthy and safe farm produce that can be exported without issues.
He proposed that fostering innovations in agriculture could unveil new growth opportunities and facilitate participation that enhances productivity and export expansion.
Oladunni stated that the PEDA initiative aims to strengthen the horticulture sector’s capacity to meet both domestic and international buyer demands, thereby improving the industry’s competitiveness through a market-driven, systems-strengthening strategy.
He highlighted the importance of providing farmers with practical training to elevate their technical expertise in agricultural trade, agribusiness development, management, policy, and marketing. The overarching goal, as articulated by him, is to foster job creation, enhance living standards, and promote economic inclusion through entrepreneurship and skills development.
The Executive Director noted that ARMTI envisions PEDA as a means to boost productivity across the entire agricultural value chain, from farm to table, by collaborating with local associations and cooperatives to assist small-scale farmers in becoming more attuned to global market demands.
Through training, he asserted that farmers would be equipped to achieve international quality standards certification, thereby instilling confidence in exporters regarding their products.
The Chief Executive Officer of NUGATA Consults Limited, Jane Omojokun, said the country cannot be at the forefront of agricultural export, if acceptable international export standards are not followed, which according to her must start from the farm.
