Ogun: NEPC trains 150 horticulture farmers, entrepreneurs on UK entry regulations, procedures
adminFrom Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Ogun State Coordinating Office, has trained no fewer than 150 vegetable farmers and entrepreneurs in the horticulture value chain, on the United Kingdom entry regulations and procedures for the export of horticultural produce.
The one-day workshop with the theme ‘Harnessing Horticulture Market Opportunities in the UK: Through Quality Regulation’ was organized by the NEPC in conjunction with the Ogun State Cooperative Federation (OGSCOFED).
Speaking at the opening session of the training held at the OGSCOFED Hall, Asero, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the State Coordinator of the NEPC, Mrs Francisca Odega, said that the main purpose of the workshop was to expose the farmers and entrepreneurs in horticulture to the current market demands and quality requirement for horticultural produce in the UK among others.
She added that the programme was also designed to create awareness on the internationally accepted
quality for horticulture products from Nigeria.
Mrs Odega noted that Nigeria was missing out in the multi-billion dollar market of vegetables and fruits in the UK, Europe and America, hence, the need to sensitize the players in the sector on the huge available business opportunities.
She disclosed that pre shipment inspection agencies revealed significant growth export proceeds of 2017-2021 from $1.2b to $3.4b as against an annual average $22b food importation alone into the country, pointing that the country must strive to bridge the deficit by tapping into the new dimension in export business, especially in horticulture.
According to her, farmers and exporters of horticulture produce in the country, especially in Ogun State, required training and exposure in order to be able to march up with their counterparts in Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameron and Kenya in the area of vegetables and fruits export.
She, however, informed that apart from the incentives packaged by the NEPC to encourage and motivate exporters of vegetables and fruits in the country, off-takers had been identified in the UK to buy the produce.
The Ogun NEPC Coordinator, while urging the participants to be attentive and avail themselves with opportunities offered by the workshop, said that experts from the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) and National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) have been contacted to train the participants on the standard and requirements for the exportation of their products.
In their respective remarks, the Director of Research, NIHORT, Dr (Mrs) Olagorite Arinola Adetula, the National President of Horticulture Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sanya Falomo and the President of OGSCOFED, Wasiu Olaleye, commended the NEPC for designing the programme aimed at training and exposing horticulture exporters to the nitty-gritty of international standards and procedures.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Ogun State, Olu Ola Aikulola, represented by the Director of Commerce, Ariyibi Opaleye, said the ministry would be ready to partner NEPC in its efforts to encourage exporters in the state, especially in horticulture and agro products.
He commended the Council for organizing the workshop at a time when the country was working seriously to totally diversify to non-oil export.
Source: https://sunnewsonline.com
