The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) has concluded a nationwide training programme for farmers in Seasame Seed producing states in the country.
The affected states are Kano, Nasarawa and Niger.
At the Niger State training which took place at the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) Badeggi, Bida, with the theme “promoting quality seasame seed export through value chain approach” three papers were presented on the challenges facing export of the product to overseas markets.
The papers also dealt on micro toxin prevention and control and the role of officials in inspection and certification in the process.
In a keynote address, the Executive Director of NEPC, Barr. Olusegun Awolowo represented by a Director, Mrs. Tokunbo Adeyeye, told participants that between 2003 to 2013, Nigerian agricultural products mainly Seasame, groundnut, palmoil, beans, and ogbono amonst others, witnessed high presence of aflatoxin which was disturbing.
This he said resulted in losses in high export revenue annually.
The NEPC boss urged participants to adopt good agricultural practices, healthy sanitary measures and enlighten other rural farmers on the enforcement of relevant regulatory and trade provisions, thus maintaining international market for Nigerian Seasame.
In a related development, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) has urged farmers to guard against any form of fungi in agricultural produce to ensure food safety.
The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Paul Orhii made the call in Enugu recently at a sensitization campaign on Aflatoxin management in Nigeria.”
The campaign was organised by NAFDAC in collaboration with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Orhii, represented by The Director of Laboratory Services, Mrs Stella Danloye said the fungal disease called aflatoxin had passed a serious problem to health and international trades of agricultural produce.
The DG urged farmers to make concerted efforts to reduce the risk associated with aflatoxin contamination and toxidity to ensure food security.
Declaring the workshop open, the Enugu State Governor represented by the commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Michael Eneh, said the state would always support NAFDAC and UTA in their fight against the menace of aflatoxin in Nigeria.
He recalled that agriculture was the major source of income in Nigeria but later declined at the discovery of oil.
Eneh urged farmers to utilize the gains fo the workshop to enhance the standard of their farm produce to meet international standard.