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There is no doubt that substandard agricultural produce has deprived Nigeria of huge export opportunities, even as the sector remain the largest ...

It is imperative to strengthen the Nigeria’s “Zero Reject Initiative” which was recently set up by the federal government to break the jinx of reoccurring rejection of Nigeria’s agro-produce and boost exportation. Since the international market remain highly competitive and only products that conform to the high quality standards and packaging can meet the required global market demand, improving the quality of Nigerian food products is considered the best way to address the rejection challenge. He said that the association with support from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), has trained the ‘ACT-Force with the view to reduce substandard agro-produce by at least 80 percent across Nigeria. The “Zero Reject Initiative” was conceived to boost Agro & non-oil exports through improved quality control and standardisation with the objective of ensuring zero reject of Nigeria’s agro and non-oil exports in the global market and there is a standing Inter Ministerial Committee establish by the federal government to this effect. A member of the “Zero Reject” Committee and president of Agricultural Produce Sellers Association of Nigeria (APSAN), Comrade Aloys Akortsaha said Nigerians must support its recently set up task force as part of efforts to fight and eradicate unsafe and contaminated food, fake and substandard agricultural produce in the country. There is no doubt that substandard agricultural produce has deprived Nigeria of huge export opportunities, even as the sector remain the largest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).