The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained fifty small-holder farmers in Adamawa State on how to boost agricultural exports in Adamawa state.
NEPC during the training showed the farmers how pesticide management and improve their yield and mitigate the risk associated with pesticide use in order to prevent further bans and rejection of Nigerian Agricultural Produce by the EU.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, stated this today in Yola, and noted that “the continuous ban and rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce from the EU and other export market destinations is of concern to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.”
“The presence of contaminants such as pesticide residues, mostly dichlorvos and other impurities, exceeding maximum permissible residual limits, is a major challenge facing Nigerian agricultural exports”.
She said, “Adamawa State is known for getting the best groundnut and other states relied on its agricultural produce alongside other grains for export hence the need for the training to improve the export performance of agricultural products from your state.
Nigeria has faced rejection due to pesticide residues exceeding maximum permissible limits, she said.
According to her, “recent studies have shown that over 70% of small-holder farmers and commercial farms in Nigeria use pesticides as control measures to prevent insects and pest attacks on their crops”.
Additionally, most farmers and processors lack formal training or guidance on the safe use and application of pesticides, leading to serious market implications.
The NEPC boss stressed that the comprehensive pesticide management program proposes several key components, including establishing a robust registration process for pesticides to ensure only approved and registered pesticides are sold and used.
Ensuring only certified spray service providers with complete personal protective equipment carry out spraying services in farms and warehouses.
Also developing training programs for farmers, spray service providers, and other stakeholders, establishing a monitoring system to track pesticide use, sales, and inspections to address non-compliance, and supporting research into safe and sustainable integrated pest management practices.
Speaking at the training program, Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Dr. Ishaya John Dabari encouraged beneficiaries to maximize their newfound knowledge and skills by training others in their local communities.
He highlighted Adamawa State’s export potential, citing cowpeas, bean seeds, groundnuts, and livestock as key products.
He said by leveraging this training, beneficiaries can contribute to the state’s economic growth and enhance its reputation as a reliable exporter of quality agricultural products.
Beatrice Benjamin, a beneficiary of the training program, expressed her gratitude for the timely intervention, stating that she is eager to apply the knowledge gained.
“Prior to this training, I lacked the necessary safety knowledge on herbicide use, often resulting in overuse and exposure to danger,” she revealed.
Noting that this has led to strange ailments in her community, affecting even children, which she now attributes to the misuse of herbicides.
As a small-holder farmer, Benjamin vowed to utilize this newfound knowledge to change the way herbicides are used, ensuring that their products meet international standards and can be exported successfully.
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