FG inaugurates committee to standardise Nigeria’s Agric Exports
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on Zero Reject of Agricultural Commodities and Produce/Non-Oil Exports from Nigeria to ensure the standardisation of Nigeria’s agricultural produce and its acceptance by the international community.
The committee was inaugurated on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono.
Nanono said it was time for Nigeria to avoid the embarrassment caused by the rejection of its agricultural produce that the country must strengthen its regulatory and inspection authorities and make them live up to their mandates.
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According to him, “Our desire for standard agricultural products and non-oil exports means there will be vigorous pursuit of investment in quality control and standardisation.
“As we pursue this, my ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is committed not only to food security, but wholesome foods of high quality acceptable for local consumption and export.” He said.
The minister expressed worry over the recent rejection of Nigerian beans by the European Union that this should be a source of concern to Nigerians, particularly the ministries, departments and agencies charged with the responsibility of producing and certifying produce for export.
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Nanono said that “Do not also forget that whatever is being rejected elsewhere could be what we are consuming locally, therefore putting our health into jeopardy by not paying attention to quality assurance,”
“The areas of handling our fresh produce, cold storage and post-harvest loss management are also major concerns if we must improve our export.” He added.
The minister charged the members of the committee and stakeholders in the agric sector to join hands and to bring standardization to the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
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