By Rashidat AbdulRahman
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Niger Foods, and AGRA have partnered to deliver a landmark training programme aimed at strengthening food safety and enhancing the productivity of rice farmers in Niger State.
This was disclosed in a one day training, held at the Niger Foods office in Minna, saying it focused on Risk Assessment System for Farm Production of Rice based on a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.
The HACCP training closely adheres to the Codex Alimentarius Food Hygiene requirements as
published by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev 3 (1997), amended 1999).
Niger Foods Rice growers need to be able to identify and prevent problems that can impact on food safety. The HACCP approach helps to identify hazards and the point where they occur in the Rice crop production process and implements procedures to prevent or minimize them. HACCP involves a systematic assessment of all steps involved in Rice production and identifies all microbiological,
chemical and physical hazards. HACCP identifies critical control points where control must be achieved to maintain the safety and quality of the product.
The initiative underscores the commitment of Niger State’s leadership, particularly the Farmer Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, to modernize agricultural practices and elevate the state’s rice to a premium export commodity. Through this collaboration, stakeholders aim to boost consumer confidence, promote sustainable farming systems, and increase Niger State’s competitiveness in the international rice market.
Representatives of SON, Adamu Mohammed Aminu and Sanusi Yusuf, commended the partnership, describing the training as a major milestone in strengthening food safety and quality assurance within the state’s rice value chain. They reiterated SON’s commitment to equipping farmers with the skills and tools required to implement HACCP standards, which are vital for meeting both national and international market requirements.
According to them, the initiative aligns with SON’s broader mandate to drive standardization, enhance consumer protection, and ensure the global competitiveness of agricultural products from Niger State.
Participants also received hands on training on the use of essential quality control equipment such as moisture meters and weighing scales tools that are critical for ensuring accurate measurements, reducing post harvest losses, and improving market compliance.