Nigeria is set to begin the formal export of
certified yams to the United Kingdom and United States from June 29, according to confirmations given by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
certified yams to the United Kingdom and United States from June 29, according to confirmations given by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
Ogbeh said
it is a major achievement for the agricultural sector, adding that the market
was lost in the past because of poor quality control and rejection of some of
the products.
He said
that that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) has been
empowered to address issues of safety and phytosanitary standards in food
exports to meet acceptable global standard.
Ogbeh
said this will also save the country from the embarrassment of her exports
being rejected as a result of poor quality.
He
disclosed that government has put in place a standing committee which will be
supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on
technical issues.
Among
agencies which he named will assist in accelerating export include the Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Federal Airports
Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Export
Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS),
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC).
He explained
that the agencies would be expected to work with his ministry, finance and
Industry, Trade Ministries on control plans and develop HS codes for products
that would be exported.
