Nigeria to supply US 1,440 tonnes of yams in 2018

The Technical Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme says it is targeting the export of about 480 tonnes of yams per month in 2018. According to the committee, the United States has already requested for the supply of five containers monthly, which amounted to 120 tonnes of yams monthly and 1,440 tonnes of yams in a year.

The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Simon Irtwange, on Monday in Abuja said that the target would be achieved if all the challenges, which yam exporters experienced in 2017, were surmounted.

Irtwange said that the Nigerian Ports Authority had made available the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal to facilitate the packaging and movement of yams meant for export. He said that the committee was also working with the NPA to get people who would invest in constructing yam pack houses at the terminal. “That way, we will avoid the gridlock in Apapa because now, we are using batches to move the yams from Ikorodu to Apapa,’’ he added.