Food Safety: Nigeria Working To Meet Global Standards – Stakeholders

An international organisation promoting innovations in crop protection and biotechnology, CropLife Nigeria, says Nigeria is working to meet global food safety standards through a multi-pronged approach involving the government’s commitment.

At a workshop on “Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Anti-Counterfeiting of Crop Protection Products” in Abuja yesterday, the president of CropLife Nigeria, David Achimugu, said frequent cases of food contamination and the rejection of agricultural export commodities abroad were due to the misuse of pesticides and poor adherence to label instructions.

He said, “Reported cases of food contamination and the rejection of agricultural exports due to high pesticide residues arise from gross misuse and abuse of label instructions, as well as poor knowledge and skills among stakeholders in the agricultural chemical value chain.”

Achimugu stated that the rejection of agro-commodities was negatively impacting Nigeria’s export volumes.

According to him, many exporters lack an adequate understanding of the safe and responsible handling of pesticides and crop protection products in agriculture, horticulture and food storage.

He explained that the workshop was organised by CropLife Nigeria in collaboration with CropLife Africa Middle East, based in Abidjan.

“This year’s workshop is in two parts. The first, which holds today, focuses on MRLs — Maximum Residue Limits — which refers to the acceptable levels of pesticide residues in crops, food, and animal feeds,” he said.

He added that although international standards already exist, Nigeria must develop and harmonise its own standards through a multidisciplinary approach involving all relevant agencies.

“We are not reinventing the wheel. There are established global standards, but we must harmonise them for Nigeria’s context. Every relevant agency must have a say and take responsibility for cascading these standards to their stakeholders.”

According to him, failure to meet MRL standards is the primary reason Nigerian agricultural exports are rejected in international markets.

“We continue to see rejections because some people try to cut corners instead of meeting what is legally required.”

Similarly, Olaniyi Ibrahim, the chief trade promotion officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), emphasised the need to train farmers on safe agricultural practices, food safety requirements, proper storage, and hygiene.

He said farmers, being the first handlers of produce, require tailored communication and training in local languages to help them understand the implications of poor practices on exports.

“Policies should not remain in government offices. Farmers must be fully aware through training and capacity development. This is essential if Nigeria wants to strengthen its export competitiveness, he said”

Meanwhile, Mr Gerba Isa, Chief Regulatory Officer, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate, NAFDAC, said the agency has maintained long-standing collaboration with CropLife Nigeria.

According to him, a joint committee was established to promote the safe and responsible use of pesticides and agrochemicals, including the training and certification of agro-input dealers, who act as intermediaries between manufacturers and farmers.

“Many farmers, who are the end users, lack the technical knowledge to understand product labels, modes of action, and proper usage instructions. That is why this training and certification are critical,” he said.

“The structure would ensure that social protection programmes extend beyond Abuja to local communities nationwide,” he said.