By Agrobroadcast Team
Taraba State has signalled a strategic shift toward positioning coffee and tea cultivation as major pillars of its agricultural economy, citing favourable climate conditions, vast arable land, and untapped highland potential across several local government areas.
Governor Agbu Kefas made this known at a two-day Coffee and Tea Roundtable organised by the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) at the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Secretariat, Taraba State University, Jalingo. The governor was represented by his Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Zanau Maikasuwa.
According to the governor, Taraba’s unique ecological features particularly the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area place the state among Nigeria’s most suitable locations for premium coffee and tea production.
“Taraba State is endowed with fertile soils, favourable climate and highland terrain that are ideal for coffee and tea farming.
Sardauna, home to the Mambilla Plateau, offers one of the best environments in the country for producing high-quality tea and coffee,” he said.
He added that other areas including Gashaka, Kurmi and parts of Bali Local Government Areas also possess suitable agro-ecological conditions that could support expanded cultivation of the crops if properly harnessed.
Governor Kefas noted that his administration has placed agriculture at the heart of its economic diversification agenda, stressing that developing coffee and tea value chains would help transition farmers from subsistence practices to commercial production.
“The expansion of coffee and tea farming will create employment opportunities for youths and women, increase household income and strengthen rural economies,” he said, assuring farmers of government support through improved seedlings and modern agronomic practices.
The governor further disclosed plans to attract private sector investment through public-private partnerships to establish plantations, processing and packaging facilities closer to production areas. These facilities, he said, are being targeted for Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Bali, Donga, Takum, Ussa Local Government Areas, as well as Yangtu and Ngada Development Areas.
He emphasised the importance of value addition, noting that processing coffee and tea locally would boost internally generated revenue, reduce post-harvest losses and create sustainable livelihoods.
“Coffee and tea are more than crops; they are pathways to rural development, industrial growth and access to global markets. With coordinated efforts, Taraba can emerge as a recognised hub for premium coffee and tea production in Nigeria and across West Africa,” he said.
The governor called on farmers to embrace the opportunity and invited investors and development partners to collaborate with the state government to unlock the sector’s vast potential.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Mr. Adamolakun Ebenezer reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising coffee and tea production nationwide. He disclosed that improved seedlings and critical inputs would soon be distributed to farmers.
He identified Taraba, Cross River and Plateau States among regions with the most suitable land for coffee and tea cultivation, adding that plans were underway to establish coffee nurseries across geopolitical zones where the crops thrive.
“We will soon convene stakeholders to develop practical strategies for improving coffee and tea production nationwide,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of NACOFTAN, Dr. Hassan Usman Kakara, described coffee and tea as high-value crops with enormous potential, particularly in Nigeria’s highland and agro-ecological zones.
Despite this potential, he said the sector continues to struggle with low productivity, outdated farming practices, weak market linkages, limited processing capacity and poor access to finance.
“This roundtable provides a platform for meaningful engagement among stakeholders to develop actionable strategies across the entire value chain from seedling production and cultivation to processing, packaging, marketing and export,” Kakara said.
He stressed that sustainable revitalisation of the sector would require strong collaboration between government, the private sector, development partners, research institutions and farmers.
Dr. Kakara also announced the association’s plan to allocate one hectare of land in each of the four geographical zones for pilot coffee and tea cultivation, urging farmers to exercise patience as the crops typically take about three years to mature.
He encouraged stakeholders to formally register with the association to benefit from its interventions and commended the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, for his support and collaboration in advancing coffee and tea research and development.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Reuben Jonathan, described coffee and tea as a neglected but critical component of Nigeria’s agricultural economy that requires urgent revitalisation.
He noted the sector’s strong potential for job creation and economic expansion and urged stakeholders to translate discussions from the forum into practical roadmaps.
On behalf of the Local Organising Committee, the Director of the CRI-TSU Institute of Tree Crop Research, Dr. Patrick K. Kefas, said the forum was convened at a crucial moment, stressing that no single institution could revive the sector alone.
“Historically, coffee and tea contributed significantly to agricultural output and export earnings, but years of policy inconsistency, limited financing, weak value chains and insufficient private sector investment have led to a steady decline,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the roundtable would lead to coordinated interventions capable of restoring coffee and tea as viable income-generating commodities and drivers of sustainable livelihoods for thousands of Nigerian.