By Emmanuel Antswen
The International Trade Centre (ITC) has commenced moves to address production and export challenges affecting cowpea and sesame value chains in Benue.
Dr Alexander Rutikanga, an agricultural policy and food safety expert with ITC, made the disclosure during the flag-off of the cowpea planting season in Makurdi.
Rutikanga said the team was in the state to identify gaps and opportunities and develop interventions to improve production and exports of cowpea and sesame.
“We want to carry out an in-depth diagnosis to know the gaps and opportunities and how we can support farmers and other actors along the value chains,” he said.
He stated that the intervention targets increased exports of cowpea and sesame to Europe, Japan and other international markets.
The agricultural policy expert commended Benue farmers for adopting safer alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Rutikanga said Nigeria was among leading global exporters of cowpea and sesame, stressing the need to maintain and improve its position through better farming and export practices.
“Nigeria has been managing to increase exports, particularly non-oil exports like sesame and cowpeas across the world.
“However, excessive chemical pesticide use and resulting residues are major threats to export.
“Once chemical residues are beyond the requirements, the products exported will be sent back or destroyed,” Rutikanga said.
He urged farmers to use approved pesticides and observe pre-harvest intervals, saying reduced chemical use would protect consumers and the environment while improving access to premium markets.
Rutikanga advocated drought-resistant varieties, irrigation and mechanisation to boost productivity and help farmers cope with climate change.
He said ITC would work with the Nigerian Government to provide technical support and mobilise resources to address identified challenges.
“The immediate benefit is that we are carrying out a diagnosis to know the issues they have. Once we know the issues, solutions are all around,” he said.
Rutikanga, who also flagged off the 2026 cowpea planting season in Benue, urged stakeholders to strengthen the value chain for increased production, food security and export earnings.
Earlier, Vitalis Tarnongu, Managing Director (MD), Teryima Nigeria Ltd and Benue State Cowpea Coordinator, said more than 3,000 farmers cultivate cowpea across the state, with production taking place during the rainy and dry seasons.
Tarnongu stated that low production was linked to inadequate land development, mechanisation, farm inputs and limited government support.
Tarnongu also said farmers face poor markets and low prices, urging government to provide better support, mechanisation and inputs to boost production.
Dr Adaniken Bamidele of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) said an International Trade Centre-led team was in Benue to improve the export value chain for cowpea and sesame.
Bamidele identified high pesticide residues and contamination as major barriers to export, saying the team would work with farmers to meet international standards and conduct commodity sampling for analysis.
Mrs Erdoo Jato, Cowpea Coordinator, Teyima and Msushima Foundation Women’s Group, identified mobilisation, mechanisation and limited production capacity as major challenges.
Jato said the group had received no government support but appealed to the visiting team and government to support women farmers to expand cowpea production and eventually export from Benue.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the team comprises representatives from ITC, NAQS, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). (NAN)
