NASPAN kick-starts plan to scale up Shea Industry
The National Association of Shea Products of Nigeria (NASPAN) is set to kickstart the reforestation of certain reserved areas in Niger State, as one of its efforts to increase the viability of Shea products.
This was stated by the president of the association, Mohammed Ahmed Kontagora, during a virtual meeting between the National Executive Council and all State coordinators.
The plans were also in response to identified challenges the state coordinators presented earlier.
Kontagora said the National Campaign and Advocacy to plant ten million trees in ten years at one million per year will also be piloted, saying it would increase the awareness of the economic benefits of the Shea tree and its derivatives.
The Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, had earlier pledged to ramp up efforts to scale up the Shea industry.
He assured key players of the government’s efforts to increase the production and export capacity of the industry.
Similarly, Kontagora assured of a new method of Shea processing, in line with the approved guidelines of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
This he said, would ensure uniqueness and traceability of Nigerian Shea products, in the international market.
The association would also be collaborating with state governments to implement legislation, and consequently, achieve total development of the sector, the president further stated.
