As part of efforts to promote the production and supply of commodity based industrial raw materials for use by local manufacturers in the country, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is set to open a partnership with the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) for improved synergy between producers and marketers of agricultural and mineral commodities to boost local manufacturing.
The Director General, RMRDC, Professor Hussaini Doko Ibrahim made this assertion when the Managing Director, Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), Mrs. Zaheera B. Ari, paid him a working visit in Abuja recently.
While receiving the NCX team, the Director General said, the Council will collaborate with the NCX since stock piling and conservation of commodities is one of the mandates of the Council. He noted that the Council has been working closely with industries and farmers to ensure sustainable raw material supply. He also informed that there is a quality control programme to check quality of food consumption whereby farmers, consumers and the Council will benefit from.
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Ibrahim further added that the Council is collaborating with the Ministry of Women affairs in a capacity building programme, and suggested that NCX could also be brought on board as it also relates to their mandate.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), Mrs. Zaheera B. Ari, explained that her office was set up to provide a platform for food storage facilities, training etc. for farmers to get proper value for their commodities.
She said that since the Council is known for promoting Nigeria’s Raw Materials, it will be of benefit for RMRDC to collaborate with NCX to promote Nigeria’s abundant commodity. She noted that the farmers lack good storage facilities which affects their produce and make then incur losses.
Ari averred that, famers can use the commodities as collateral for loans, while urging the Council to support her Agency in areas of research and quality control for it will help increase the commodity space.
The NCX MD/CEO furthermore expressed her gratitude for the intending collaboration and requested the invitation of the Council personnel to participate in a capacity building to be organised by her office in Maiduguri.
