Experts in the agricultural sector in Nigeria have called on the International Trade Centre and the Food and Agriculture Organisation to form a partnership to curb the increasing rejection of agro- exports and improve packaging capacity of enterprises accessing the global market.
The Executive Secretary, Institute of Export Operations and Management, Mr. Ofon Udofia, explained that it had become imperative to build capacity of trainers to provide guidance to agro-food actors, governments and other stakeholders on appropriate food packaging.
Udofia said, “There is need to train operators on packaging standards, materials, branding and labelling, quantity and weights, quality of products, barcoding, food contamination and preservations.
”In most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, poor packaging is one of the main reasons local food products cannot compete favourably with imported ones. Improving packaging of Small and Medium Agro-Enterprises will contribute to strengthening the entire food supply chain, improve the competitiveness of SMAEs and benefit all food chain actors and consumers. This initiative will also support the government’s efforts at diversifying the economy from oil to non-oil based economy.”
The Managing Director, De-Praimmerc Consulting Limited, Mr. Kayode Oluwafemi, said an end must be put to the rejection of produce such as yam.
“ITC and FAO must campaign to promote trades among Africa countries and how to meet international standard in terms of packaging and branding,” he said.
