The Cloves Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria has officially launched the country’s first-ever cloves farming initiative, set to roll out during the 2026 wet season, signalling a bold step towards agricultural diversification, rural empowerment, and foreign exchange generation.
Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, National Coordinator of the association, announced the initiative 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, on Saturday. He explained that the programme aims to engage at least 2,000 farmers from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), totaling more than 74,000 farmers nationwide in the maiden edition.
Each farmer in the pilot scheme will be provided with improved clove seeds and essential farming inputs to cultivate half a hectare of land. “Cloves are a tropical plant that can thrive in several regions of Nigeria,” Shuaibu said. “This initiative is designed to meet the growing domestic and international demand for cloves, particularly from food and pharmaceutical companies. Nigeria will join Zanzibar, Tanzania, as the second African country to produce cloves commercially. This development promises to boost foreign exchange earnings, create employment, and open up opportunities for youth agripreneurs.”
Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, State Treasurer of the association’s Kaduna chapter, said Kaduna State, already a leader in ginger production, would fully participate in the initiative. She emphasised that the programme was structured to empower women farmers, reduce rural poverty, and ensure that no group is left behind. “We are providing the resources and training necessary to help women and youth actively participate in this high-value agricultural venture,” she added. She also confirmed that improved clove seeds were sourced from Tanzania and urged state governments to lend their support to ensure the initiative’s success.
Alhaji Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, a Financial Adviser to the association, highlighted the economic potential of cloves. He noted that cloves are significantly more profitable than grains and many other vegetable crops. “The programme will also act as a buffer against losses farmers have suffered due to sudden drops in farm produce prices. Once production scales up, Nigeria can shift from being a net importer to a potential exporter of cloves, generating additional foreign exchange revenue for the country,” he explained.
Supporting the initiative, Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of IAR, ABU, unveiled a detailed training manual on clove cultivation. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for farmers, extension agents, and agripreneurs, covering cultivation practices, pest management, irrigation, harvesting techniques, market analysis, and adherence to international quality standards. “The manual ensures that farmers are equipped not just with seeds, but with knowledge that meets global best practices,” Abdullah noted.
Beyond economic returns, Shuaibu emphasised the broader social and community benefits of the initiative. “This programme is about transforming rural communities, creating jobs, promoting food security, and developing a new generation of agripreneurs,” he said. “It empowers youth, provides women with sustainable livelihoods, and contributes to the overall resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.”
The initiative also addresses youth unemployment by encouraging young Nigerians to view agriculture as a profitable business, rather than a subsistence activity. Farmers who complete the programme will receive support in market access, financial literacy, and business planning to ensure their farms are commercially viable.
“This is not just about cloves; it is about building sustainable economic ecosystems that will generate wealth for households, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a major player in the global cloves market,” Shuaibu concluded.
The maiden cloves farming initiative reflects a growing trend in Nigeria towards high-value crops, agripreneurship, and agricultural exports, combining government support, community engagement, and international collaboration to drive inclusive growth.
