The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has intensified efforts to enhance the quality of Nigeria’s agricultural exports by building the capacity of farmers and key stakeholders on its Zero Export Rejection Strategy.
The initiative is aimed at reducing the incidence of rejected Nigerian products in international markets due to poor quality, contamination, and non-compliance with global standards.
According to NEPC, the training programme focuses on equipping participants with knowledge of international quality requirements, proper handling practices, and certification processes needed to meet export standards.
Participants, drawn from various segments of the agricultural value chain, including farmers, processors, exporters, and aggregators, were trained on good agricultural practices (GAP), hygiene standards, traceability systems, and proper packaging techniques.
The council emphasized that export rejection not only leads to financial losses for exporters but also damages Nigeria’s reputation in global markets, making it more difficult for local products to compete internationally.
Stakeholders were also educated on the importance of adhering to phytosanitary regulations and residue limits, which are critical requirements in many destination countries. Failure to meet these standards has been a major cause of past export rejections.
In addition, the programme highlighted the role of value addition and proper post-harvest handling, ensuring that products maintain quality from farm to export.
Experts noted that improving compliance with international standards can significantly increase Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings, diversify the economy, and create new market opportunities for local producers.
However, challenges such as limited awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and high certification costs were identified as barriers that must be addressed to achieve the objectives of the strategy.
NEPC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting exporters through capacity building, policy advocacy, and market access initiatives, ensuring that Nigerian products meet global expectations.
With the Zero Export Rejection Strategy, the council aims to position Nigeria as a reliable supplier of high-quality agricultural products, boosting export competitiveness, farmer incomes, and economic growth.
