ITC begins Benue assessment to boost cowpea, sesame exports

The International Trade Centre (ITC), an bureau of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, has commenced a tract appraisal successful Benue State to code challenges affecting the export of Nigerian cowpea and sesame to planetary markets, peculiarly the European Union.

The intervention, being implemented successful concern with the Federal Government, is aimed astatine strengthening the 2 worth chains, from accumulation and aggregation to processing and export. Cowpea, commonly known arsenic beans successful Nigeria, and sesame are among the cultivation commodities with important export potential.

The ITC delegation, led by Dr Alexandra Rutikanga, visited farmers and different stakeholders successful the authorities connected Monday to measure accumulation and post-harvest practices and place gaps affecting the prime and exportability of the commodities.

Rutikanga said Benue and Nasarawa were selected arsenic portion of Nigeria’s Southern Guinea Savanna cultivation portion due to the fact that of their value successful cowpea and sesame production, adding that the programme besides covers Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and parts of Zaria.

She said the appraisal became indispensable due to the fact that Nigerian cowpea and sesame exported to Europe, Japan and different planetary markets had faced challenges linked to pesticide residues exceeding permissible limits...