By Lawal Taofeek, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Every Friday, hundreds of farmers from across Kebbi converge on Tasha Dagi market in Jega Local Government Area with sacks of dried pepper.
The weekly trade sustains a network that stretches from northern Nigeria to parts of West Africa.
Although relatively unknown outside the state, the market has become an important hub where farmers, traders and transporters meet to exchange dried pepper, a commodity that eventually finds its way to major Nigerian cities and neighbouring countries.
Jega, one of the oldest commercial towns in Kebbi State, has historically served as a link between northern Nigeria, the Southwest and neighbouring countries.
Its strategic location along major routes has over the years supported the movement of agricultural produce and locally made goods.
Located along Mayawa Road, near the southern exit of Jega town, Tasha Dagi market has grown into a major centre for dried pepper trade.
Every market day, farmers arrive with their harvest from different communities, while wholesalers and transporters gather to buy and move the commodity to various destinations.
During a visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the market on Friday, the atmosphere reflected the scale of the weekly trade.
Farmers arrived in motorcycles, commercial vehicles and hired trucks carrying bags of carefully dried pepper, while traders inspected the quality of the produce before making purchases.
At another section of the market, truck drivers waited to load consignments heading to Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Niger Republic, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.
For many farmers, Tasha Dagi is more than just a market; it is a source of livelihood that has supported families for years.
Nigeria’s dried pepper trade extends well beyond its borders, with markets such as Tasha Dagi playing a vital role in connecting smallholder farmers to regional supply chains.
The commodity remains one of the country’s important agricultural exports to West Africa and other international markets.
According to international trade data, Nigeria exported about 1.57 million kilogrammes of dried pepper in 2023, with Ghana accounting for the largest share by volume.
Other export destinations included India, Israel, Spain, the United Kingdom and Benin Republic.
In 2022, Nigeria exported about 1.94 million kilogrammes of dried pepper, reflecting the country’s growing presence in regional spice trade in spite of challenges such as rising transportation costs, inadequate infrastructure and post-harvest losses.
Although much of the pepper traded through rural aggregation centres is consumed locally or moves through informal cross-border channels that are not fully captured in official statistics, stakeholders say markets like Tasha Dagi play a critical role in Nigeria’s agricultural trade.
They say the market links smallholder farmers to buyers, strengthens agricultural value chains and supports livelihoods across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
Speaking with NAN, a farmer, Isa Maiyalo from Maiyalo town in Mayawa Local Government Area, said he had been involved in pepper farming and trading for about 20 years.
“I started with two or three bags, but gradually I increased my business. After harvesting my pepper, I also buy from other farmers and sell at this market,” he said.
Maiyalo explained that rising fuel prices had affected transportation costs and contributed to an increase in the price of dried pepper.
He said a bag that previously sold between N30,000 and N35,000 now costs about N55,000, depending on market conditions.
According to him, the pepper season is gradually coming to an end, as farmers have started planting new crops expected to mature between December and January.
He added that farmers from Jega, Mayawa, Aliero and surrounding communities rely on Tasha Dagi as their major trading point.
“No matter the distance, as long as you are within these areas, this market is for us. Many old customers know this place because it is where pepper farmers come every Friday to sell their produce,” he said.
However, the farmers said they face challenges, including theft, high transportation costs and limited government support.
Maiyalo appealed to authorities to provide assistance similar to what is offered to farmers producing crops such as rice and maize.
Another farmer and dealer, Muhammad Masayabo from Gidi town in Jega Local Government Area, said the pepper business had helped him improve his livelihood.
Masayabo, who has been in the trade for about 16 years, said he had never missed a Friday market day since the establishment of Tasha Dagi market about 13 years ago.
“This is what I have been doing for years. Through this business, I have built my house and supported my family,” he said.
He, however, identified the loss of pepper bags through theft as one of the major challenges facing traders.
According to him, some traders now hire people to watch over their goods during market activities.
Similarly, Danbuga Musa, a farmer from Saniba town in Mayawa Local Government Area, said pepper farming had remained profitable in spite of the absence of regular government assistance.
Musa said he started with two bags but had grown to supplying between 15 and 20 bags to the market.
“Like other farmers who receive fertiliser and other inputs from government, some of us do not get such support. However, through pepper farming, I have been able to build my house, marry and take care of my family,” he said.
He appealed for support through farm inputs, improved transportation infrastructure and other measures that would encourage farmers to increase production.
The Chairman of Tasha Dagi market, Buhari Bala, described the market as a hidden treasure because of its contribution to agricultural trade.
Bala said the market had operated from its current location for about 13 years but expressed concern that the landowner could request their relocation at any time.
He urged the government to provide a permanent site, improve security and support the development of the market.
“This market serves many states and countries. Trucks from here transport dried pepper to Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Oyo, Osogbo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Togo, Dosso, Ghana and other places,” he said.
Bala added that proper development of the market would increase government revenue and improve the livelihoods of traders.
Meanwhile, truck drivers involved in transporting the commodity also highlighted the importance of the market to regional trade.
A driver, Hussani Abbas, who transports pepper consignments to Ghana, said drivers usually move with goods purchased by wholesalers and deliver them to retailers across the border.
He explained that drivers heading to Togo, Dosso and Benin Republic often travel together whenever they have enough goods to transport.
At the market, NAN observed several trucks loading sacks of pepper destined for Lagos, Oyo, Ibadan and Ilorin.
Another driver, Jafar Abdulsamad, said traders travelling along similar routes often hire trucks together to reduce transportation costs.
He, however, appealed for faster completion of major road projects, including the Mokwa-Kotangora and Molando-Wara-Ngaski roads, to improve movement of goods and reduce travel difficulties.
As Tasha Dagi continues to attract farmers, traders and transporters every Friday, the market remains a quiet driver of Kebbi’s agricultural economy.
With improved infrastructure, security and government support, stakeholders believe the market has the potential to expand its reach, create more opportunities for farmers and strengthen Nigeria’s position in regional agricultural trade.
(NANFeatures)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.