LIVE UPDATES
ABUJA, Nigeria - The Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) has urged farmers nationwide to adopt standardization and grading of agricultural products to improve market value and decrease rejection rates in both domestic and international markets.
During a technical workshop focused on maize and ginger standard grading, which marked the end of a three-year advocacy campaign in Abuja, NABG President Arch Kabir Ibrahim highlighted the necessity of consistency in grain size, appearance, and overall quality to achieve better prices and market accessibility.
“Nigeria has a history of rejecting its produce due to the lack of standardization. By ensuring uniformity in what we produce, our farmers will not only secure better local prices but will also be able to compete more effectively in international markets,” stated Ibrahim.
He underlined the vital role that agribusiness plays in economic prosperity, encouraging both smallholder and large-scale farmers to implement best production practices.
Ibrahim pointed out Nigeria's significant role in supplying food to African nations, with established informal trade routes between Nigeria and countries like Ghana. He regretted that the lack of formal trade structures has resulted in substantial revenue losses.
“Nigeria’s agribusiness penetration within Africa is impressive, but it can be improved through formalization. By adopting grading standards, we can ensure that our products are competitive both regionally and on a global scale,” he emphasized.
NABG Director-General Jafar Umar explained that the organization is gradually working to institutionalize grading systems, beginning with essential commodities such as ginger and rice.
“Establishing standard grading for these key crops will serve as a model for others. This will enable farmers to target premium markets by aligning their production with appropriate seeds, fertilizers, and input standards,” Umar added.
Despite significant market presence in Africa, Nigeria’s agribusiness sector encounters challenges including policy gaps, non-compliance, and restricted access to knowledge.
“If our products meet international standards, their value will benefit smallholder farmers. We must reverse the trend of losses due to subpar standards to ensure that all participants in the value chain gain,” Umar noted.
NABG’s Secretary-General, Nwaneri Olubukola, remarked that partnerships with organizations like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) are instrumental in addressing these challenges by offering technical support and training for smallholder farmers.
“Much of the knowledge concerning standardization exists but remains underutilized. We are working to ensure that farmers view their efforts as agribusiness rather than mere subsistence farming. If they grasp grading, they can negotiate better prices and access premium markets,” she stated.
While mechanization remains a long-term objective, Ibrahim emphasized the importance of farmers adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) regardless of their current production techniques.
“Even if you are utilizing manual tools, focus on quality. As mechanization develops, these processes will become more integrated, but farmers must start implementing best practices now,” she advised.
Nigeria is a leading global producer of ginger and maize,two crops that have high domestic and export demand. Nonetheless, inadequate grading and packaging have hindered their global competitiveness.
NABG’s initiative seeks to change this by collaborating with government agencies and commodity associations to establish equitable pricing based on standardized grading.
To raise awareness, NABG will partner with media organizations to encourage farmers across the nation to adopt grading and standardization practices. With these initiatives, NABG aims to position Nigerian agribusiness as a key player in the global market, creating wealth for farmers and bolstering the country’s economic resilience through agriculture.
