World Trade Organisation (WTO) has inaugurated a $1.2 million Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in Nigeria to boost food safety and others.
The global initiative seeks to strengthen food safety, as well as animal and plant health capacity in developing countries by encouraging good practices.
Speaking yesterday, WTO Director General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who explained that Nigeria has huge potential in the production and export of cowpea and sesame, noted that the rejection of both crops at the international market remains a huge challenge, owing to poor transportation and storage of agricultural produce.
The most populous black nation is the third largest producer of sesame in Africa, with approximately 500 metric tonnes produced in 2022, and over 5.2 million metric tonnes of dried cowpea produced yearly.
According to Okonjo-Iweala, the facility will build the capacities of Nigerian farmers to produce agricultural products that meet export standards.
Earlier, the WTO boss led her team in talks with the Federal Government on how to drive economic diversification through enhanced exports.
Top on the agenda is the facility launch to improve market access for the nation’s agricultural exports and health products in addition to uniting public and private sector players.
She observed: “These are hard times, and we are here to see what we can do to diversify Nigeria’s economy through export. It is fantastic to be back home towards the STDF programme with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to see what we can do to diversify the economy through exports for the country to move forward.”
A statement by the ministry’s Director Press and Public Relations, Henry David, said the WTO and International Trade Centre (ITC) are to provide technical assistance and capacity building support for the facility to foster sustainable economic growth and food security.
