In a move to diversify agricultural production and boost non-oil exports, the federal government has inaugurated its first nationwide cloves farming programme ahead of the 2026 wet season, with more than 74,000 farmers expected to participate across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The development was disclosed by the Cloves Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (CPPMAN) at the end of the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers Workshop, held recently at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria.
Speaking at the event, the association’s National Coordinator, Abdullahi Shuaibu, said at least 2,000 farmers would be selected from each state and the FCT to take part in the pilot phase of the programme.
He explained that cloves, a tropical crop, can thrive in several ecological zones across Nigeria, making it suitable for large-scale cultivation nationwide.
Under the scheme, each participating farmer will receive improved clove seeds and essential farm inputs to cultivate half a hectare of farmland.
“The initiative is designed to tap into the growing domestic and international demand for cloves, particularly from the food and pharmaceutical industries,” Shuaibu said. He added that Nigeria would become the second African country after Zanzibar in Tanzania to produce cloves commercially.
According to him, the programme has strong potential to boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and attract youth participation in agriculture.
Also speaking, Kaduna State Treasurer of the association, Maijidda Abdulkadir, said the state was ready to fully embrace the programme, building on its established strength in ginger production.
She noted that the initiative would help reduce poverty, create employment opportunities, and empower women farmers, adding that improved clove seeds have already been sourced from Tanzania. She called on state governments to support the programme to ensure long-term sustainability.
In his remarks, the association’s Financial Adviser, Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, said cloves farming is more profitable than grains and many vegetable crops, and could serve as a buffer against recent price crashes affecting farm produce.
“Once production begins, Nigeria will move from being a net importer of cloves to a potential exporter, generating additional foreign exchange,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of IAR, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, unveiled a comprehensive training manual on clove cultivation, covering production methods, market analysis, and international best practices.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the programme would drive rural economic empowerment, promote job creation, and support sustainable income generation for youths and women across the country.
