Govt To Confiscate AgricProduce Not Bagged in TARABA SACK

 

The Taraba State Government has ordered that all agricultural produce moving in or out of the state must now be packaged in the newly introduced TARABA SACK, warning that any goods found in old or unapproved sacks will be confiscated along with the vehicles transporting them.

 

Under Executive Order No. 9 of 2025, signed by Governor Agbu Kefas, any agricultural goods transported in sacks other than the government-approved Taraba Sack will be confiscated, alongside the trucks or vehicles conveying them, pending investigation.

 

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in a statement signed by  it's commissioner Hon. Peter George said the enforcement phase, said truck owners, drivers, produce dealers, and all transport associations must comply immediately. "Any truck or individual found in violation will have their goods and vehicles confiscated for investigation," the Ministry warned, adding that a task force backed by security agencies will begin full enforcement soon.

 

The government first unveiled the standardized Taraba Sack on 19 August 2025, after which sack dealers were given a three-month transition window—from 1 September to 1 December 2025—to clear out non-standard sacks. That grace period expires on Monday. From then on, only the government-approved sack will be allowed for sale, distribution, or use within the state.

 

The order also suspends the carriage of non-approved empty sacks into Taraba, a restriction that applies across all 16 Local Government Areas and the Ngada and Yangtu Development Areas.

 

According to the state government, the new policy is aimed at ending decades of manipulation in produce markets caused by the circulation of uneven, non-standard sack sizes that have exposed farmers and traders to widespread exploitation. Officials say inconsistent packaging has undermined transparency, weakened investor confidence, and denied Taraba farmers fair market prices.

 

Beyond economic concerns, the government argues that the use of standardized sacks will enhance the identity and competitiveness of Taraba's agricultural products. The Ministry said the Taraba Sack will bring "pride, visibility, and authenticity" to produce from the state, making them instantly recognizable in markets within and outside Nigeria.

 

The government also insists that adequate quantities of the branded sacks will be available through approved channels. Sensitization and enforcement exercises are expected to begin immediately after the transition period lapses.

 

Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the agricultural economy, the Taraba State Government said the initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at protecting farmers, restoring fairness in trade, and projecting Taraba's image as a hub of high-quality agricultural produce.