FG Launches Committee to Enhance Agricultural Exports

The Federal Government of Nigeria inaugurated an interministerial committee on Tuesday to strengthen the country's agricultural quarantine system, aiming to reduce the rejection of agricultural exports and enhance biosecurity. This initiative was announced in a press statement by Julie Osagie-Jacobs, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The inauguration took place at the Ministerial Conference Room in Abuja and was led by Dr Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, on behalf of Minister Abubakar Bagudu. The committee includes representatives from various ministries, regulatory institutions, research organizations, and farmers’ associations, tasked with developing a coordinated framework to align Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine system with international standards.

Dr Odoh emphasized the need to eliminate losses from non-compliance with these standards and expressed confidence that the committee's work would enhance agricultural trade and contribute to sustainable economic growth. This initiative is part of the Federal Government's broader efforts to build a resilient agricultural sector and improve food security in Nigeria.