FG Set To Establish More Gum Arabic Processing Centres

The Federal Government has expressed its move to establish more Gum Arabic Processing Centres in the country.

The country Director of Agriculture, Karima Babangida disclosed this during a capacity building on Good Agricultural Practices for gum Arabic farmers.

The program was held at Manpower Development Institute Dutse, Jigawa state. Karima stated that the centres would be established in Kano and Borno states this year.

The gesture was part of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's efforts to improve the production of the commodity.

She further stated that the Gum Arabic testing laboratory had earlier been refurbished at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria for quality assurance.

Karima also said that the ministry has made various efforts to provide Gum Arabic farmers with support.

She further explained that the ministry had provided improved seedlings, fertilizer, herbicide, tapping knives, storage bags, hammer mill with cyclone, pushers, colour sorting machine, and digital moisture meters, in view to improve its productivity.

Karima also said the ministry has also established a cottage processing centre in Damaturu Yobe state, adding that, in 2021, the ministry is also proposing to establish two additional processing centres in Kano and Borno states.

She added that the crop provides opportunities for trade, employment, and improvement in the livelihoods of rural people, particularly women and youth, involved in gum collection and other value chain activities.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ernest Umakhihe, who was represented by the Deputy Director Tree crops, Ukattah Bernard, said that the global demand for Gum Arabic was valued at $373.1 million in 2018, and is estimated to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.

The Assistant Director from the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment, Dipo Agegoke stated the ministry has been collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop and make Nigeria's Gum Arabic, Africa's number one.

Gum Arabic is one of the Agricultural Commodity Value Chain being promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Director of Agriculture, Karima Babangida had explained that the Gum Arabic is mainly promoted by the ministry.

He stated that 15 states of the northern and central parts of the country are beneficiaries, where the agro-ecological factors are suitable for its production.

The states include Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Taraba. Others are Zamfara, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe, Plateau, Niger, and Nassarawa states.