Anambra to Erase Nigeria’s Global GAP Certification Abysmal Record

With zero certification on Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global G.A.P) certification, Nigerian find it difficult to export, especially agro-allied produces to Europe, Mr. John Okakpu, managing director and chief executive officer of ABX World Nigeria, lamented.

According to available record, Kenya has about 1846 certified producers / exporters; Ghana 124; Cameroun 9; Burkina Faso 146; Cote d’voire 355; Egypt 671; South Africa 1797 and Nigeria at the moment brandishes zero certification

Okakpu who expressed displeasure with the inability of neither the Federal, State or Local Governments in Nigeria to register a single farmer on the Global G.A.P map, said that over $52billion are lost yearly in the chain.

He however, extolled Chief Willie Obiano, Anambra State Governor pious leadership which cumulated in the provide platform for farmers in the State to be Global G.A.P certified.

He said that the State is already reaping the dividends of aligning itself to technical trends in global agricultural sphere.

Okakpu told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that “It pains Nigerians in diaspora to see other countries enjoying international market share of their agricultural produce through GLOBALG.A.P. Certification process whereas in Nigeria there is no single producer / exporter that is certified under this international leading scheme on good agricultural practice certification practices. See example of other African countries below compare to zero rated for our country Nigeria.

“It is such a shameful and abysmal record to display as a country with over 170million population; grasping for breath (economically). We have all it takes to feed the whole of Africa and rest of the world, just by putting structures in place that can even make Global G.A.P set up a training facility in Nigeria. Nevertheless, ABX world is happy with what Governor Willie Obiano is doing in Anambra State. He has put the welfare of the farmers above all things. The State is currently leading the revolution Nigeria needs in this regard by empowering the local farmers.

“Global G.A.P. Certification is based on set rules; control points and compliance criteria from Farm input to market (Farm to Fork)  Time frame for certification process will depend on where the individual; organisations or companies are at the starting of GLOBALG.A.P. process and at what pace they wish to move.

“Therefore, it could take individuals from 6months to 5years depending on their pace.  Individual producers or group of smallholders could start at localg.a.p. level 1 or level 2 or level 3 depending on where their processes are at the point of starting.  More advanced producers or group of smallholders could go straight to: certification process after training, self-assessment; independent audit, etc.  There is no short-cut to GLOBALG.A.P. Certification as it is a process with• integrity and individual producers or group of smallholders must follow a set process in order to obtain their certification,” he disclosed.

Global G.A.P Standard that was formerly known as Eurepgap is an integrated farm assurance process used in EU countries, US and other parts of the international markets to serve as a private commercial standard certification process for export of agricultural produce to EU countries.

The standard is designed as a practical tool to reassure consumers about how their food products are produced from farm to processing and to their tables.

It also offers small farmers and exporters who go through the standards, the passport to export their produce to internationally markets. It is business to business tool /systems.