In a bid to fortify food safety standards and enhance trade capacities, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially launched a $1.2million standard trade development facility in Nigeria.
The global initiative aims to empower developing countries, like Nigeria, in bolstering food safety, as well as ensuring the health of animals and plants through the adoption of best practices.
Director General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who stated this during the inauguration event, underscored Nigeria’s immense potential in the production and export of cowpea and sesame.
She said the country face the problem of persistent rejection of products due to challenges in transportation and storage, both domestically and for export purposes.
Nigeria, acclaimed as the third-largest producer of sesame in Africa, witnessed an output of approximately 500 metric tonnes in 2022.
Additionally, the country boasts an annual production of over 5.2 million metric tonnes of dried cowpea.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala emphasised the pivotal role of the newly established facility in addressing the challenges.
She explained that by providing capacity-building opportunities for Nigerian farmers, the facility aims to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to cultivate agricultural products that adhere to international export standards.
The initiative is poised to not only enhance food safety measures but also to bolster Nigeria’s position in the global agricultural market, fostering economic growth and sustainability in the process.