Taraba Has Vast Potential for Coffee, Tea Cultivation – Kefas

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has said the state is richly endowed with fertile land, favourable climate and highland terrain suitable for large-scale cultivation of coffee and tea, describing the sector as a major pathway to economic diversification and job creation.

The governor made this known during a two-day roundtable discussion on Coffee and Tea cultivation, organised by the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) at the ASUU Secretariat, Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo. He was represented by the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Zanau Maikasuwa.

According to Kefas, Sardauna Local Government Area, home to the Mambilla Plateau, offers one of the best environments in Nigeria for tea and high-quality coffee production, while Gashaka, Kurmi and parts of Bali Local Government Areas also possess suitable ecological conditions for expanding coffee and tea farming.

He noted that the affected areas are home to hardworking farming communities who, with adequate support, can drive a sustainable coffee and tea economy in the state.

"Our administration has placed agriculture at the centre of economic diversification. Developing coffee and tea farming will move Taraba from subsistence to commercial agriculture, create jobs for youths and women, and increase household income," he said.

Governor Kefas stated that the state government is already supporting farmers with improved seedlings and modern farming practices, while encouraging public-private partnerships to establish plantations, processing and packaging facilities close to production areas. He listed Sardauna, Gashaka, Kurmi, Bali, Donga, Takum, Ussa, as well as Yangtu and Ngada Development Areas, as priority zones.

He further stressed the importance of value addition, noting that processing coffee and tea locally would strengthen rural economies, generate employment and boost internally generated revenue.

"Coffee and tea are not just crops; they are pathways to rural development, industrial growth and global market access. With coordinated efforts, Taraba can become a recognised hub for premium coffee and tea production in Nigeria and West Africa," he added.

The governor called on farmers to embrace the opportunity and invited investors and development partners to collaborate with the state in unlocking its agricultural potential.

In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by Adamolakun Ebenezer, assured that the Federal Government is committed to boosting coffee and tea production nationwide. He disclosed that improved seedlings and other critical inputs would soon be distributed, adding that Taraba, Cross River and Plateau states have some of the best lands for coffee and tea farming.

Earlier, the National President of NACOFTAN, Dr. Hassan Usman Kakara, said coffee and tea production in Nigeria holds immense potential, especially across highland and suitable agro-ecological zones, but faces challenges such as low productivity, outdated farming practices, limited processing capacity, weak market linkages and inadequate access to finance.

He said the roundtable was convened to foster dialogue, exchange ideas and develop practical strategies to strengthen the entire value chain—from seedling production and cultivation to processing, packaging, marketing and export.

Kakara announced plans by the association to allocate one hectare of land each for coffee and tea cultivation in the country's four geographical zones, urging farmers to exercise patience as the crops take about three years to mature. He also encouraged stakeholders to register with the association to benefit from its interventions.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Reuben Jonathan, described coffee and tea as a neglected but critical agricultural sector with huge potential for job creation and economic expansion.

On his part, the Director of the CRI-TSU Institute of Tree Crop Research, Dr. Patrick K. Kefas, said the forum came at a critical time, noting that revitalising the coffee and tea sector would require strong collaboration among government, private sector players, researchers and farmers.

He added that coffee and tea are strategic agricultural commodities capable of generating employment, foreign exchange and sustainable livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians if properly harnessed.