Nigeria to export first consignment of certified yams to the US and UK this month

NIGERIA plans to export her first consignment of certified yams to the UK and US on June 29 as part of the federal government's economic diversification programme aimed at reducing the dependence on crude oil.

With the price of crude oil collapsing from a high of over $100 a barrel to below $50 a barrel, the government stepped up plans to raise export revenue from other means, focusing on agriculture and solid minerals in particular. For several decades, Nigeria has lost ground in the global food market due to poor quality control and subsequent rejection of its agricultural exports by potential importers.

Agriculture minister Chief Audu Ogbeh, however, revealed that the government had instituted a number of initiatives and interventions that would reverse the trend. He noted that the Presidential Committee on Ease of Doing Business would complement this arrangement by dedicating ports solely for agro exports and reinforce checks on the quality of produce.

Already, the ministry has asked the Nigeria Ports Authority to maximise the utility of facilities at the Ikorodu terminal for that purpose. Chief Ogbeh added that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services has also been empowered to make it more responsive to issues of safety and phytosanitary standards in food exports.

According to him, this would forestall the national embarrassments arising from the rejection of food exports on account of quality deficiency. In addition, the government has also set up a standing committee backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and consisting of members from critical and relevant federal government agencies.

Chief Ogbeh said: “The commitment of the government to end the embarrassing rejection of Nigerian commodity and produce in international markets is irrevocable. The health of Nigerians is also paramount and the populace needs good quality food as well.

"There is nothing like Nigerian or local standards but international standards to which we cannot but adhere in our local handling of food, consumption and export drive. This necessitated the establishment of the high-level standing inter-ministerial technical committee on zero reject of agricultural produce, co-chaired by me and my counterpart in the ministry of industry, trade and investment."

He reiterated his commitment to improve exports through expert handling of fresh produce, cold storage and post-harvest loss management. Chief Ogbeh added that the on-going efforts on the conduits of excellence is expected to culminate in the development and validation of standard operating procedures at a high level specifically for dried beans and other commodities.