The Cloves Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria has announced the start of the country’s maiden cloves farming initiative for the 2026 wet season, marking a new push to diversify agricultural production and exports.
The disclosure was made by Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, National Coordinator of the association, at the end of the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers Workshop held at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Saturday.
Shuaibu said the pilot phase of the initiative would involve at least 2,000 farmers from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to more than 74,000 nationwide.
He described cloves as a tropical crop capable of thriving across many parts of Nigeria, noting that each participating farmer would receive quality seeds and essential inputs to cultivate half a hectare of clove farm.
“The initiative is designed to tap into the huge domestic and international demand for cloves, particularly from food and pharmaceutical companies,” Shuaibu said.
He added, “Nigeria will become the second African country after Zanzibar, Tanzania, to produce cloves commercially. This development promises to be a game-changer in foreign exchange earnings and youth employment,” he said.
Speaking on state-level readiness, Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, State Treasurer of the association’s Kaduna chapter, said Kaduna State, already known for ginger production, would fully embrace the programme.
According to her, the initiative is targeted at reducing poverty, creating jobs, and empowering women farmers, while ensuring that no group is excluded from the benefits.
Abdulkadir also confirmed that the maiden scheme had secured improved clove seeds from Tanzania and called on state governments to provide the necessary policy and logistical support to ensure smooth implementation.
Similarly, Alhaji Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, a Financial Adviser to the association, said cloves production offers higher returns than grains and many vegetable crops.
He explained that the programme would also serve as a buffer against recent losses suffered by farmers due to 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,” Masanawa said.
In support of the initiative, Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of IAR, ABU, Zaria, unveiled a comprehensive training manual on clove cultivation.
Abdullah said the programme would boost empowerment, food security, and sustainable incomes for youth and women.
