Finally, FG rethinks testing laboratory for agro exports’ to end rejection
After series of national embarrassments and wastages both in material and cash, the Federal Government has agreed to set up laboratory that will have the capacity to test for Aflatoxins contamination, moisture content and relevant microbiology parameters necessary for agricultural produce to be exported.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said the move is part of measures to reduce the rejection rate of products exported from Nigeria to other countries.
It would be recalled that some Nigerian products including Beans are still on EU watch list due to non-compliance with standards.
Other products include sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat, peanut chips and palm oil.
Only recently, processed yam worth more than N250m exported to US were rejected on arrival due to high spoilage and over concentration of pesticides.
Speaking at the opening session of the 31st conference of Directors of Produce Inspection Services, the Director, Commodities and Products Inspectorate, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Omololu Opeewe, said the rejection rate of Nigerian produce was embarrassing to the government.
She explained that the government was currently working on addressing the issue of standards through scientific inspection of some of the products.
According to her, “The Federal Produce Inspection Service is set to establish a world-class laboratory that will have the capacity to test for Aflatoxins contamination, moisture content and some microbiology parameters necessary for our produce going out of the country.
“With this development, electronic certificates issued by the FPIS on quality, fumigation, packaging, and weight will be linked strategically online with other agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council,” Opeewe noted.
