Nigeria to Inaugurate Maiden Cloves Farming with 74,000 Farmers

News in brief:

-Nigeria will commence commercial cloves farming with over 74,000 farmers across all states and the FCT.

-The initiative aims to boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and cushion farmers against price volatility.

Nigeria is set to commence its maiden cloves farming initiative during the 2026 wet season, with over 74,000 farmers expected to participate nationwide.

The Cloves Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria announced the development at the end of the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers Workshop held at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Nationwide Rollout Across States

The National Coordinator of the association, Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, said the pilot scheme would involve at least 2,000 farmers from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to him, cloves are tropical crops that thrive across many ecological zones in the country, making it suitable for nationwide cultivation.

Each participating farmer will receive improved clove seeds and essential inputs to cultivate half a hectare of farmland under the pilot phase.

Boost for Exports, Jobs and Foreign Exchange

Shuaibu explained that the initiative is designed to tap into strong domestic and international demand for cloves, particularly from the food and pharmaceutical industries.

He noted that Nigeria would become the second African country, after Tanzania, to produce cloves commercially.

“This development promises to be a game-changer in foreign exchange earnings and youth employment,” he said.

States Urged to Support the Programme

The State Treasurer of the association’s Kaduna chapter, Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, said Kaduna State, already a leading producer of ginger, would fully embrace the cloves farming initiative.

She said the programme is expected to reduce poverty, create jobs and empower women farmers, while ensuring inclusiveness across communities.

Abdulkadir also confirmed that improved clove seeds have been secured from Tanzania and called on state governments to support the successful rollout of the scheme.

Higher Profitability than Traditional Crops

A Financial Adviser to the association, Alhaji Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, said cloves production offers higher returns than grains and many vegetable crops.

He added that the initiative would help cushion farmers against losses arising from sudden crashes in farm produce prices.

“Once production begins, Nigeria will move from being a net importer of cloves to a potential exporter, bringing in additional foreign exchange revenue,” he said.

Supporting the initiative, Prof Mukhtar Abdullah of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) unveiled a comprehensive training manual on clove cultivation.

The manual provides step-by-step guidance on cultivation practices, market analysis and international best practices for farmers, extension officers and agripreneurs.

Abdullah stated that the programme would drive rural economic empowerment, strengthen food security and create sustainable income opportunities for youth and women across the country.