From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The President of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN), Dr. Hassan Usman Kakara, has called on the Federal Government to establish a National Coffee and Tea Commission to promote the development of the subsector and reduce the burden on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent in Calabar, Dr. Kakara said coffee, cocoa and tea farmers have continued to face challenges under the Ministry of Agriculture due to the ministry’s wide range of responsibilities.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government to establish a National Coffee and Tea Commission. The Ministry of Agriculture is overburdened with many responsibilities, making it difficult to give adequate attention to the coffee, cocoa and tea industries,” he said.
According to him, the proposed commission would provide focused policies, improve productivity and strengthen the value chain of the coffee and tea industries in Nigeria.
Dr. Kakara noted that the association’s call was informed by the need to emulate countries that have established dedicated commissions for the development of coffee and tea production.
He made the appeal while in Cross River State to engage coffee and cocoa farmers on strategies for advancing coffee and tea farming in the country.
The NACOFTAN president stressed that coffee and tea cultivation has the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy if given the required government support.
“Countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Kenya generate substantial revenue from coffee production. Nigeria can also diversify its economy and reduce dependence on crude oil by investing seriously in coffee and tea farming,” he said.
He advised the Federal Government to prioritise investment in coffee and tea production as part of efforts to increase internally generated revenue, create employment opportunities and cushion the economic hardship facing Nigerians.