Dawanau grain market operating for 45 years – Chairman

Dawanau international grain market in Kano state has been has been described as the nucleus of Africa’s grain business with over 45 years of successful business history, the acting Chairman, Murtala Muhammed Labaran has said.

In a media chat yesterday, he said the market which serves as a storage centre for grains to regulate their pricing has expanded to an International grain market that supplies West Africa and other African regions.

He said, “However, with the recent ban on grain export the market has over the last three years became a centre for cash crop exportation, initially, West African countries take about 45 per cent of our daily sales. With the recent ban on exportation of grain, many of our business associates resolved into exportation of cash crops such as Pigeon Beans, Sesame, Tamarin, Ginger and hibiscus popularly called Zobo among others.”

He added that export of these commodities has expanded presently to America, Asia and many European countries. He said about 40 trucks of assorted grain leave the market on daily basis for local consumption and over 100 trucks for exportation daily.

“Though, the market lacks modern facilities, exportation has gained a strong ground in the market. There are over 200 internationally registered companies conducting their businesses here. There are over 4,000 people earning a living daily in this market and you can imagine what revenue accrued to the local government and the state,” he noted.