The Cloves Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria has announced the country’s first-ever commercial cloves farming initiative, scheduled to begin in the 2026 wet season to improve crop diversification and export growth.
The national coordinator of the association, Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, disclosed the development at the conclusion of the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers workshop held at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
He stated that the pilot phase would involve more than 74,000 farmers, with at least 2,000 participants drawn from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Shuaibu, cloves, a high-value tropical spice widely used in food processing and pharmaceuticals, can thrive in several ecological zones across Nigeria.
Each participating farmer under the scheme is expected to receive improved clove seedlings and essential inputs to cultivate half a hectare of farmland.
He explained that the initiative has been designed to tap into strong domestic and international demand, noting that Nigeria would become the second African country, after Zanzibar, Tanzania, to produce cloves on a commercial scale.
The move, he added, has the potential to transform rural livelihoods, generate foreign exchange, and open new income streams for young people.
“This development will be a game-changer for youth employment and export earnings,” Shuaibu said, adding that cloves production offers higher profitability compared to many traditional crops.
Supporting the initiative, Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, state treasurer of the association’s Kaduna chapter, stated that the programme aligns with Kaduna State’s growing reputation as a spice-producing hub, following its success in ginger cultivation.
She emphasised that the cloves project is structured to reduce poverty, create inclusive job opportunities, and empower women farmers across participating communities.
She confirmed that improved clove seeds have already been sourced from Tanzania and called on state governments to provide policy and extension support to ensure successful implementation.
Financial adviser to the association, Alhaji Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, noted that cloves farming offers a profitable alternative for farmers affected by frequent price crashes in grain and vegetable markets.
He states that the crop could help stabilise farm incomes while positioning Nigeria as a future exporter rather than a net importer of cloves.
Once production begins, Masanawa explained, Nigeria stands to earn additional foreign exchange while strengthening its resilience against volatile commodity markets.
Meanwhile, Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of IAR, ABU, Zaria, has unveiled a detailed training manual to support the initiative.
The guide provides practical instructions on clove cultivation, climate-smart practices, market access, and international standards, targeting farmers, extension agents, and agripreneurs.
He stressed that beyond export earnings, the cloves farming initiative has the potential to drive sustainable livelihoods, rural economic empowerment, and long-term income security for youth and women, while contributing to Nigeria’s broader agricultural diversification agenda.
Source: Tribune Online
