Food Export Rejections Persist, But Greenhouse Farming Offers A Way Out — Ojeah

Nigeria's staple foods are often rejected in international markets due to quality concerns, resulting in significant economic losses for the country. Experts say that one of the major challenges facing Nigeria's food exports is the failure to meet global standards, particularly in areas such as proper packaging, acceptable chemical residue levels, and food safety compliance.

The writer notes that regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC should strengthen collaboration with food standard control agencies in export destination countries to help Nigeria clearly understand the standards it is currently failing to meet. This would enable the country to align its food production processes with the best global practices, thereby reducing the rejection of its staple foods in international markets.

Greenhouse farming has been identified as a potential solution to Nigeria's food export challenges. This type of farming enables farmers to achieve prolonged and multiple harvests within a single planting cycle, significantly reducing post-harvest losses. The economic benefits of greenhouse farming are substantial, with farmers able to generate significantly more revenue than their open-field counterparts.

The cost of setting up a greenhouse farm depends on various factors, including available land space and the type of materials used. For example, constructing a greenhouse on a "50 by 100 plot of land" may cost about ₦2.7 million if bush poles are used as construction materials. However, this cost can be significantly higher if galvanised metal structures are used.

As Nigeria seeks to improve its food export prospects, the adoption of greenhouse farming practices is likely to play a crucial role. The government can support this effort by providing incentives for farmers to adopt this technology, thereby enhancing the country's food security and agribusiness development.