The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is currently pursuing a strategy to partner with various state governments to enhance the growth and export of perishable goods to international markets.

This initiative is projected to generate over two million jobs within the agricultural sector and is expected to significantly increase the volume of agricultural exports, as noted by aviation experts.

States such as Niger, Enugu, and Plateau are making substantial investments in agricultural products for export and are working alongside FAAN to develop cargo facilities, including cold storage units at airports for the preservation of goods prior to export.

Recently, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah initiated the distribution of agricultural inputs and grants exceeding N4.6 billion to farmers, communities, and technology startups within the state.

This initiative aims to bolster food security, foster agro-industrialization, and support the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The governor announced that 12,000 smallholder farmers would each receive a bag of fertilizer, courtesy of the federal government’s support to all states.

Furthermore, 51 power tillers, each valued at N2 million, will be allocated to farmers across various agricultural clusters in the state, underscoring the administration's dedication to agricultural advancement and MSME development.

The majority of the agricultural products are intended for export, and the governor is collaborating with FAAN to establish a cargo terminal at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

The plan indicates that the state will commence the export of agricultural products by the following year.

During a visit from FAAN management last year, the governor expressed his commitment to completing the cargo terminal and warehouse to ensure readiness for the export of the initial batch of agricultural products from the state.

“For us, the cargo terminal is critical. You know that we are migrating agriculture to agro-allied industrialisation. That means agriculture will not just be for food, it will also be for export. And the cargo terminal is critical if we are going to engage in the export of agricultural and agro-allied produce from the state. We need to be able to export from here. That is why we are looking at partnering with FAAN to ensure that we start and complete a cargo terminal and indeed operationalise it,” Mba said.

In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Bago has initiated a strategy to commence the export of agricultural products starting early next year, having established farms dedicated exclusively to this purpose.

Recently, the governor engaged in discussions with President Bola Tinubu regarding his plans to enhance agricultural activities within the state.

Governor Bago stated that Niger State intends to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land in 2024, aligning with the federal government's objectives as articulated by President Tinubu in his recent New Year address.

He emphasized that the state is poised to serve as a model for the national agricultural initiative.

Furthermore, the governor highlighted that Niger State is already progressing with 250,000 hectares of dry season farming through collaborations with private enterprises.

“And there are some initiatives we have started we are about to do a total of 250,000 hectares dry season farming, which we have already signed an agreement with some companies for off take,” he said.

The Niger State government, in partnership with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has successfully established a fully equipped cargo terminal at Minna Airport.

Meanwhile, Plateau State, historically recognized for its substantial crop production and export activities, has experienced a decline in recent years.

However, Governor Caleb Mutfwang is determined to rejuvenate the agricultural sector and enhance the production of exportable farm products.

Kebbi State has consistently exported onions to Morocco and other nations, and it now intends to diversify its exports by introducing additional crops.

Nigeria stands as a prominent player in various agricultural sectors, including palm oil, cocoa beans, pineapples, and sorghum.

It ranks as the world's second-largest sorghum producer, following the United States, and holds the fifth position in palm oil and cocoa bean production.

Furthermore, Nigeria is a significant global exporter in agriculture, with oil, fruits, nuts, and seeds among its top ten export categories.

FAAN anticipates that its initiative to increase the export of perishable goods will create over two million job opportunities for young individuals in the agricultural sector within the next two years.

The new cargo export program initiated by FAAN emerged from the 2021 Cargo Conference, known as Chinet, which marked a strategic shift towards prioritizing cargo exports. The agency aims to export over 600,000 tons of agricultural products by 2026, generating an estimated annual revenue of approximately $10 billion.

Ambassador Ikechi Uko, the Coordinator of the Aviacargo Committee established by FAAN, stated that if the states collaborate effectively with FAAN to implement the program on the anticipated scale, it would significantly increase employment opportunities within the value chain.

Currently, there exists a substantial logistics gap that could be addressed by doubling cargo exports from the present 250 metric tons to 500 metric tons.

To guarantee that the agricultural products intended for export comply with established international standards, the Aviacargo committee has convened with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The committee plans to conduct sampling of exports from Kano, Lagos, Enugu, and Jos, collaborating closely with both Quarantine and NAFDAC.

Uko emphasized that the inspection of farm produce will occur from the point of origin to its transit to the airport prior to exportation, as traceability is crucial for perishable goods. Countries receiving these products require assurance regarding their origin.

“So, we start from the farm. We have developed a template we have to follow, starting from the farm, the haulage to the airport and then export. We have to monitor this movement with the developed template, which we presented to Quarantine. We will ensure that we follow that template which we will be improving upon to ensure it works efficiently,” Uko said.

According to his statement, states have aligned themselves with the program for large-scale agricultural exports. Once the developed template proves effective, the Aviacrago committee will transfer its implementation to the state. This meticulous approach aims to ensure that Nigerian agricultural exports meet international market standards and avoid rejection.

“What we intend to do is to create a pathway and hand over to Nigerians. Right now, we are not doing very well in agro export, but every state wants to do something to boost agricultural produce in Nigeria,” Uko further said.

He stated that each state possesses unique resources for production and export; however, the realization of the project requires dedication and financial investment. He further praised FAAN for its serious approach to the program, emphasizing that it represents an opportunity for Nigeria to generate revenue exceeding that derived from oil.

“FAAN has taken this programme up to a higher level by creating a directorate for cargo. FAAN has done very well,” he said.