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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

FG sets up team to stop rejection of Nigeria’s farm exports

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Nigerian government has established a Technical Working Group to address the recurring rejection of its agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international food safety standards.
  • This initiative aims to improve Nigeria's competitiveness in global markets and aligns with President Bola Tinubu's agenda to ensure agricultural products meet international quality requirements.
  • Export rejections have caused significant economic losses for farmers and exporters, highlighting the need for a coordinated, science-based approach to food safety standards.

Nigeria has launched a new Technical Working Group to combat the persistent issue of its agricultural exports being rejected abroad. The group will focus on ensuring compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, which have led to significant economic setbacks.

another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring food safety and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets.

— Sen. Aliyu AbdullahiThe Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security commented on the inauguration of the Technical Working Group.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, stated that the initiative is crucial for strengthening food safety systems and enhancing Nigeria's standing in regional and international agricultural markets. He emphasized that this effort supports President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda," which prioritizes not only production targets but also adherence to global food safety and quality standards.

Not only meet production targets but also comply with internationally accepted food safety and quality standards.

— Sen. Aliyu AbdullahiThe minister explained how the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Over the years, these rejections have resulted in substantial economic losses, eroded market confidence, and cost farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses valuable opportunities. The minister highlighted that growing concerns over pesticide residues and contaminants necessitate a coordinated, science-based, and multi-sectoral response. The Technical Working Group will serve as a strategic platform for experts from government, academia, research institutions, the private sector, and development partners to collaborate on solutions.

Over the years, Nigeria has recorded several cases of export rejections of agricultural commodities due to non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

— Sen. Aliyu AbdullahiThe minister described the history of export rejections.

Abdullahi charged the appointed members, recognized for their competence, to develop practical and sustainable solutions. Their mandate includes strengthening national food control systems, improving compliance with safe pesticide-use practices, and ultimately supporting Nigerian agricultural products' access to premium markets.

These rejections have resulted in economic losses, reduced market confidence, and missed opportunities for farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses.

— Sen. Aliyu AbdullahiThe minister detailed the economic impact of export rejections.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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