Stakeholders advocate standing Policy Framework on Standards, Quality, Certification
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector say the country needs a standing policy framework on standards, quality and certification for agricultural produce in order to stop rejection in the international market.
The experts, who stated this at a workshop organized by the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) in Abuja, called for implementation of policies and standards for agro-commodities to eliminate rejects of exports from Nigeria.
The Director-General, NABG, Dr. Manzo Maigari, said policies and standards should be in place to put Nigeria in the league of major players in the global agribusiness space.
Dr. Maigari noted that the workshop became necessary following serial rejects of commodities from Nigeria in international markets on account of standards.
He noted that Nigeria does not have a policy framework on standards, quality and certification, describing the situation as worrisome, negatively impacting export of commodities.
“We represent the business sector. While we must set up a framework for business, agribusiness begins with quality standards, and for us, this is the foundation.
“Once we can get this right, we can compete in global markets.
“We make money; so far, we are not competitive because we do not have global certifications,’’ he noted.
Also, speaking on the impact of climate change on agribusiness, Maigari said what Nigeria needs to do to meet up with standards is to imbibe climate-smart practices, explaining that some traditional practices are also climate-smart.
The workshop was funded and supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Source: Agro Nigeria
