By Newspointer, Jalingo
NACOFTAN Taraba – Sept. 23, 2025
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The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in collaboration with the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) and other stakeholders, has launched an investment summit to boost coffee and tea production in Taraba State.
Chairperson of NACOFTAN, Dorothy Faransa, said the summit would highlight both the economic and health benefits of coffee, noting that Taraba’s highland climate ranks among the best for cultivation. She added that coffee is widely regarded for its anti-cancer properties, making it a healthier choice for consumers.
Faransa also disclosed that the association plans to introduce “tea villages” across communities in the state, describing them as healthier alternatives to beer parlours. According to her, the initiative will create fresh business opportunities for farmers and youths while encouraging better lifestyles.
The summit, which drew local farmers, investors, and government officials, is expected to explore strategies for expanding production, processing, and marketing to benefit households across Taraba.
As part of the advocacy, the team visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo, and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.
At the Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary of Budget and Economic Planning, Danjuma Saigudu—representing the Commissioner, Dr. Sarah Enoch Adi—described the initiative as timely. He revealed that coffee production if given the opportunity would be captured in the state’s bilateral budget discussions.
“Coffee and tea alone can transform Taraba’s economy if properly harnessed. With the right investments and honest management, these commodities can take the state to enviable heights,” Saigudu said.
He noted that Taraba coffee, though underutilized, was already being rebranded and sold in other states at higher value. The ministry pledged full support for the summit, which it said aligns with the state government’s broader goal of diversifying the economy beyond the civil service.
Earlier, the Medical Director of FMC Jalingo, Dr. Aisha Adamu, expressed strong interest in the coffee and tea investment drive, describing agriculture as a sustainable path for retirement planning.
“Even though I am a civil servant and not supposed to diversify, I am preparing for retirement, and agriculture provides an acceptable path,” she said.
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Dr. Adamu added that while her knowledge of coffee had been limited to its consumption and health benefits, the summit would broaden her understanding of its wider opportunities.
The Coffee and Tea Investment Summit, convened by RMRDC in collaboration with NACOFTAN and partners, will continue to explore investment opportunities across the coffee and tea value chains in Taraba State.
