FG Says Mango Industry Can Boost Food Security, Jobs and Export Earnings

News in Brief:

— Nigeria's FG says mango industry can improve food security, create jobs and generate export earnings if value-chain players adopt innovation and climate-smart practices.

— The newly inaugurated leadership of the mango producers association plans to reduce post-harvest losses and build a more technology-driven and competitive industry.

The Federal Government has identified Nigeria’s mango industry as a potential driver of food security, job creation and export earnings, urging stakeholders to adopt climate-smart practices, technology and stronger value addition across the sector.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made the call during the election and inauguration of the new executives of the National Association of Mango Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NAMPPMAN).

Represented by the Deputy Director of Horticulture in the ministry, Hajiya Afusatu Babalda, Kyari said mango remained one of Nigeria’s important horticultural crops, with significant potential to increase farmers’ incomes and expand the country’s presence in international markets.

“The election of new executives is not merely a change in leadership but an opportunity to strengthen unity, promote innovation, and advance the collective interests of everyone in the mango value chain,” he stated.

The minister urged the new leadership to prioritise improved production, quality standards, value addition and market access, saying these were essential to unlocking the industry’s economic potential.

He added that the ministry would continue to support initiatives focused on modern agricultural technologies, extension services and access to finance.

Climate Change Threatens Mango Production

The Federal Ministry of Environment also highlighted climate change as an emerging threat to Nigeria’s mango production.

Dr Iniobong Adiola-Awe, the director of the Department of Climate Change, represented by Dr Asmau Jibril, claimed that erratic rainfall, flooding and pest outbreaks were increasingly affecting mango productivity.

She urged NAMPPMAN to integrate climate action into its activities by promoting climate-smart agriculture and investing in sustainable processing and storage systems to reduce post-harvest losses.

According to her, well-designed climate-responsive projects could also help the association attract climate finance for resilience-building and business expansion.

Nigeria Seeks to Close Production Gap

The outgoing National President of NAMPPMAN, Abdulkadir Nasir, stated that Nigeria currently produces about one million metric tonnes of mangoes annually from approximately 120,000 hectares.

He compared Nigeria’s output with Egypt, which he said produces about 1.5 million metric tonnes annually despite its largely arid environment and dependence on irrigation.

Nasir said Nigeria could surpass Egypt’s production with improved varieties and professional orchard management.

“With improved varieties and professional orchard management, our nation can easily surpass five million metric tonnes per year,” he said.

He also urged the incoming leadership to maintain unity within the association and strengthen collaboration across the mango value chain.

New Leadership Targets Technology-Driven Industry

The newly elected National President of NAMPPMAN, Dr Garba Kangiwa, declared that his administration would seek to move the industry beyond traditional orchard management towards a technology-driven commercial ecosystem.

Kangiwa said reducing post-harvest losses would be central to the association’s agenda, alongside creating jobs, attracting investment and improving the international competitiveness of Nigerian mangoes.

He also highlighted opportunities for value addition beyond fresh fruit production. According to him, mango seed kernels are already being processed into cosmetic products by local women, while organic farm waste can be converted into organic fertiliser.

Kangiwa also encouraged farmers to use intercropping to generate income while establishing new orchards, which typically require several years before reaching productive maturity.

He said farmers could grow short-duration crops such as vegetables between young mango trees to maintain cash flow during the establishment period.

Youth and Women Key to Expansion

The association’s newly elected National Secretary, Chief Oji Aso’a, called for greater investment in youth and women across the mango value chain.

He said targeted support from government institutions could help reduce post-harvest losses and expand production for export.

Aso’a proposed distributing between 5,000 and 10,000 high-yielding mango seedlings to young people and women in each state as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s production base.

He argued that stronger government support for production, processing and marketing could help Nigeria build a more competitive mango export industry.

The Chairman of NAMPPMAN’s Board of Trustees, Goni Ahmed, said expanding mango cultivation could deliver both economic and environmental benefits.

He noted that mango trees could help combat desertification, reduce soil erosion, and contribute to climate change mitigation while creating income opportunities for farmers.

Ahmed urged the new executive council to operate transparently, protect the interests of smallholder farmers and strengthen the association’s financial and institutional sustainability.

The new leadership is expected to focus on improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses and developing stronger links between producers, processors and markets as Nigeria seeks to unlock greater value from its mango industry.