ITC Begins Benue Assessment to Boost Nigerian Cowpea, Sesame Exports
The International Trade Centre, ITC, an agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, has commenced a field assessment in Benue State to identify and address challenges limiting the export of Nigerian cowpea and sesame to international markets, particularly the European Union.
The intervention, being implemented in partnership with the Federal Government, is aimed at strengthening the two agricultural value chains, from production and aggregation to processing and export.
Cowpea, commonly known as beans in Nigeria, and sesame are among the country’s agricultural commodities with significant export potential.
The ITC delegation, led by Dr Alexandra Rutikanga, visited farmers and other stakeholders in Benue on Monday to assess production and post-harvest practices and identify gaps affecting the quality and exportability of the commodities.
Rutikanga explained that Benue and Nasarawa were selected because of their importance in cowpea and sesame production within Nigeria’s Southern Guinea Savanna agricultural zone. The programme also covers Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and parts of Zaria.
She said the assessment was prompted by challenges involving pesticide residues found in Nigerian cowpea and sesame exported to Europe, Japan and other international markets, with some shipments exceeding permissible limits.
According to her, the one-year programme will combine needs assessment with partnerships aimed at strengthening local capacity, promoting sustainable farming practices and improving the quality of produce destined for export.
The exercise will involve farmers, aggregators, processors, cleaning companies and exporters.
An official involved in the export component said the project was designed to address restrictions affecting Nigerian cowpea and sesame in foreign markets, particularly the European Union, with pesticide use during production and post-harvest handling identified as a major concern.
The official added that the ITC team would return to selected farms closer to harvest to collect samples and conduct further checks as part of efforts to improve compliance with international standards.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria, Benue State Chapter, Charles Iordye, welcomed the intervention, saying farmers were eager to improve their production methods and gain stronger access to international markets.
Iordye disclosed that although farmers in Benue do not export sesame directly, buyers from Turkey, China and the United States regularly source the commodity from the state.
The assessment is expected to help improve the quality and sustainability of Nigeria’s cowpea and sesame production while strengthening the country’s competitiveness in international agricultural markets.
