FG unveils committee to tackle rejection of farm exports

The Federal Government has inaugurated an interministerial committee to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system as part of efforts to curb the rejection of the country’s agricultural exports, enhance biosecurity and boost non-oil exports.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Julie Osagie-Jacobs.

According to the statement, the committee was inaugurated at the Ministerial Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural biosecurity system, facilitate international trade and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

The statement said the event brought together representatives of key ministries, departments and agencies, regulatory institutions, research organisations, farmers’ associations and other strategic stakeholders to develop a coordinated framework for strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system.

It added that the committee was inaugurated on behalf of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Deborah Odoh.

The statement read, “The Committee was inaugurated on behalf of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Deborah Odoh, who reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building an efficient, internationally compliant agricultural quarantine system capable of protecting Nigeria’s agricultural resources while enhancing the country’s access to regional and global markets.”

It added that Nigeria could no longer afford the losses associated with the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international standards.

“Dr Odoh observed that Nigeria can no longer afford the losses associated with the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international standards. He stated that the establishment of the Inter-ministerial Committee demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen policy coordination, eliminate institutional bottlenecks, harmonise regulatory processes, and align Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system with global best practices,” the statement read.

The statement added that members of the committee were urged to approach the assignment with professionalism, patriotism and a strong sense of national responsibility, expressing confidence that the committee’s recommendations would strengthen Nigeria’s biosecurity framework, improve agricultural trade, increase non-oil exports, enhance farmers’ incomes and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

It further noted that the inauguration marked another important milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to build a resilient agricultural sector, strengthen food security and position Nigeria as a leading exporter of safe and high-quality agricultural products.

On the role of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, the statement said the Comptroller-General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Vincent Isegbe, highlighted its responsibility as Nigeria’s first line of defence against the introduction and spread of plant, animal and aquatic pests and diseases.

According to the statement, the service conducts pest risk analysis, inspection, surveillance, certification and other quarantine procedures to ensure that agricultural commodities entering or leaving the country meet internationally accepted standards.

“Strengthening the nation’s agricultural quarantine system will reduce the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, improve foreign exchange earnings, enhance the country’s reputation as a reliable exporter of safe agricultural products, and create greater opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusinesses,” the statement read.

It added that unlocking Nigeria’s enormous agricultural potential would require stronger collaboration among institutions responsible for agriculture, trade, finance, customs, transportation, standards, laboratory accreditation, research and border security.

The statement also said the Director of Economic Growth at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Auwal Mohammed, described the inauguration as a significant step towards strengthening inter-agency collaboration in support of agricultural development, food security and economic diversification.

It noted that effective agricultural quarantine remained essential for protecting Nigeria’s crops, livestock, fisheries and natural resources from transboundary pests and diseases while ensuring compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

According to the statement, the committee’s terms of reference include reviewing proposals aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, assessing infrastructure and laboratory requirements, recommending sustainable funding mechanisms and developing practical strategies to enhance compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards while promoting Nigeria’s agricultural exports.

The statement added that the committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian National Accreditation System, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, freight forwarding associations and other relevant stakeholders.