Idara Jerome, Uyo
Concerned by the growing rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce in international markets, the Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a fresh strategy aimed at helping farmers and exporters meet global standards and earn more from non-oil exports.
To drive the initiative, the government inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Committee on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), saying the move would strengthen the country’s biosecurity system, improve the quality of agricultural exports and open wider access to regional and global markets.
Representing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, Permanent Secretary Dr Deborah Odoh said, “Nigeria can no longer afford the losses associated with the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international standards.”
Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, said Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential can only be fully harnessed if institutions responsible for agriculture, trade, customs, transport, research and border security work in synergy. He noted that a stronger quarantine system would reduce export rejections, boost foreign exchange earnings and create greater opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusinesses.
“Strengthening the nation’s agricultural quarantine system will reduce the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, improve foreign exchange earnings and enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable exporter of safe agricultural products,” he said.
The committee, comprising representatives of key ministries, regulatory agencies, farmers’ associations and research institutions, is expected to recommend measures to strengthen the operational capacity of NAQS, improve laboratory and inspection facilities, develop sustainable funding mechanisms and ensure compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
