Dawanau: Inside one of Africa’s most important grain markets

locally.

“Though the market lacks modern facilities, exportation has gained a strong ground in the market. Go round and you will find out that there are over 200 internationally registered companies conducting their businesses here. Our business outlets have grown tremendously and business in the market is now more lucrative than it was last year. There are over 4000 people earning a living from this market and you can imagine the revenue accrued to the local and state governments,” he revealed.

The chairman further stated that for sustainability and improvement on the success recorded so far, there is a need for the state government to upgrade the market to a modern status and also to provide perimeter fencing for effective security, adding that there is also the need for road network in the market to ease commuting.

Similarly, Alhaji Umaru Ado, a seasoned farmer, reiterated the need for effective policy on exportation as unregulated export of grain from Nigeria through the Dawanau Market could spell doom for the country and may lead to famine if care is not taken. He added that though this year’s harvest seems to be good, the only way the federal government would address the issue is by re-introducing marketing boards in all the states. According to him, this will enable the government have total control on national annual grain harvest.

“It is good to have such a wonderful market situated in the country but without government’s control on what goes out or comes in, the development could be hazardous to the nation’s economy. As a farmer and businessman who deal in grains, I suggest that there should be an established government marketing board to ensure conformity to set policies on importations and exportations,” he advised.