Anambra Exports First Cargo of Agriculture Produce to Europe

The plan to export farm produce to Europe and other international destination has been realised by the Anambra State Government when the first batch of the consignment was airlifted last weekend.

The first export, which was to Europe include tonnes of yams, potatoes, pineapples, bitter leaf, okro and other perishable agriculture produce were airlifted by Ethiopia Airlines cargo flight through the export section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The farm produce valued at millions of Naira were packaged by ABX World, a cargo firm at the airport and conveyed to the airport by trucks owned by the state government designated for the movement of agricultural produce from the state.

Speaking at the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) export shed, the Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Mr. Joe Billy Ekwunife said the initiative was to promote over 4,000 farmers in the state.

He said the state government embarked on the farm produce export to boost the local economy and expose agricultural produce from Anambra into the international market.

“The governor has designated this agency to coordinate all investment coming to Anambra state which is part of what you are seeing today, the export of all the agric produce in collaboration with our partner, ABX world. The products being exported today include but not limited to yams, potatoes, pineapples, okra, ugu, and bitter-leaf. The destination of the produce is Europe; other destinations will be added subsequently.

“I would like to quickly add that to official flag of this particular project that is on-going by the executive governor of Anambra state will take place at the Enugu International Airport on the 31st of October, 2017.”

He said the state government, in collaboration with ABX World, has developed capacity for farmers by providing them with parking houses, conditioning centers to package their farm produce for export in line with global requirements.

“Anambra state, like I said, in collaboration with ABX has developed a lot of cognitive with farmers, developing a lot of parking houses, conditioning centres. And I can tell you that this has employed directly and indirectly over 4000 farmers independently working and whatever they produce is guaranteed to be purchased. So it’s no longer when they produce yams they carry it on their heads going to market because the yam is already guaranteed to be paid.