Cluster farming: NEPC distributes seedlings to Zamfara communities
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance Nigeria’s non-oil export potential, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has initiated a groundnut cluster farming project in Zamfara State. On Wednesday, the NEPC Zamfara State Coordinating Office, based in Gusau, officially distributed improved groundnut seedlings—branded Samnuts 24—to farmers across eight communities in the state.
The distribution ceremony took place in Rawayya town, located in the Bungudu Local Government Area. Alhaji Yusuf Ismail, the NEPC State Coordinator, highlighted the superiority of Samnuts 24 over earlier groundnut varieties such as Samnuts 21 and 22. He emphasized that the new variety was chosen to enhance crop yield and ensure marketability, particularly in export markets.
“Our goal is to support groundnut cluster farming using improved seeds, with the aim of achieving uniformity in product quality across communities. This will make Zamfara’s groundnut more competitive in global markets,” Ismail noted. He also encouraged beneficiaries to form a groundnut farmers’ association to strengthen cooperation and market access post-harvest.
Source- Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The NEPC’s intervention through the introduction of Samnuts 24 is a strategic move aligned with Nigeria’s broader agenda to diversify its export base through agricultural value chains. For agri-food stakeholders, especially those involved in commodity aggregation, processing, and exports, this development presents several opportunities and strategic considerations:
- Strengthening Export-Ready Value Chains
By introducing high-yield, export-grade varieties like Samnuts 24, NEPC is laying the groundwork for a more predictable and quality-assured supply of groundnuts. This is crucial for attracting international buyers who prioritize product uniformity, aflatoxin control, and traceability—key requirements in the global nut trade. - Encouraging Cluster-Based Farming
The push for cluster farming offers benefits such as economies of scale, easier extension service delivery, group marketing, and collective bargaining. For off-takers and processors, this means reduced logistics costs and a more reliable supply chain. Stakeholders should explore partnerships with these clusters for pre-harvest financing and input support. - Market Linkage Opportunities
NEPC’s emphasis on linking farmers to buyers post-harvest is a call-to-action for local agri-export companies to begin engaging early with these farmer groups. Creating backward integration models that link producers directly to processing/export hubs will enhance traceability and compliance with international standards. - Need for Support Services
While seedling distribution is an important first step, sustaining productivity and export quality will require ongoing support—especially in agronomic training, storage infrastructure, and post-harvest handling. Stakeholders including development partners, private extension firms, and ag-tech companies should see this as an entry point for collaboration. - Implications for Input Suppliers
The demand for certified groundnut seeds like Samnuts 24 will likely rise. Input suppliers and seed companies have a window to expand distribution networks and offer bundled solutions (fertilizers, pest control, training) tailored to these new clusters.
Strategic Insight for Stakeholders
For investors, agri-export companies, and policymakers, this is more than just a local seedling distribution—it signals a shift towards organized, export-oriented groundnut production in northern Nigeria. Early engagement with the Zamfara clusters could yield long-term gains in the competitive groundnut value chain, especially with increasing global demand for groundnut oil and processed snacks.
