The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports in the European Union (EU) due to excessive pesticide residues, organised training for farmers on pesticide management.
Speaking at the training for smallholder farmers at the Geriyo Irrigation Farm in Yola, NEPC’s Executive Director, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, emphasized the importance of proper pesticide application to improve food safety and meet global export standards.
She noted that Nigeria’s agricultural exports frequently face rejection at EU border controls because of pesticide levels exceeding permissible limits.
However, the training, supported by the Adamawa Agricultural Development Programme (AADP), aims to equip farmers, processors, and export merchants with the knowledge of safe and appropriate pesticide use.
Ayeni revealed that over 70% of smallholder and commercial farms in Nigeria depend on pesticides, often applied incorrectly at post-harvest stages due to a lack of formal training. This improper usage, she said, has led to health hazards, environmental contamination, and reduced export opportunities.
“A large number of those applying pesticides are not certified contract sprayers. Many suffer intoxication due to a lack of awareness of safe application techniques and inadequate protective equipment,” she stated.
She stressed that excessive pesticide residues not only pose serious health risks but also undermine Nigeria’s agricultural export potential.
According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), pesticide use in crop production must align with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to meet international standards.
To support stakeholders, Ayeni assured that NEPC would continue to provide capacity-building programs, access to farm inputs, quality certification, and financial grants to enhance agricultural productivity.
Adamawa’s Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Mr. Ishaya Dabari, highlighted the state government’s collaboration with federal and international agencies to train farmers in modern agricultural techniques.
He noted that Adamawa exports crops such as soybeans, bean seeds, groundnuts, and livestock, encouraging more farmers to venture into export-oriented production.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Beatrice Benjamin of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, commended NEPC for the training, describing it as a much-needed intervention.
“Before now, we lacked proper knowledge of herbicide safety. We often overused pesticides, exposing ourselves and our communities to health risks. This training has given us the right knowledge to safely apply herbicides, ensuring our products meet global standards,” she said.
Furthermore, each participant received agrochemicals and a sprayer pack as part of the program’s support initiative.
