FG commends Niger rice processors for winning ARSO quality certification
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, has said that rice processor groups from Niger State have demonstrated improved capacity after receiving the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Quality Mark certification.
The certification, awarded at a ceremony in Abuja organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), recognizes products that meet harmonised quality and food safety standards across Africa.
The certified groups are drawn from Borgu, Mokwa, Edati, and Kontagora Local Government Areas and are supported under the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
Dr. Ogunbiyi described the recognition as evidence of excellence and improved performance among smallholder-based agribusinesses, noting that the groups had met continental standards through discipline, innovation, and adherence to quality practices.
He said quality compliance has become essential in the agricultural sector, stressing that it is critical for market access, consumer confidence, food safety, and sustainable business growth.
According to him, government interventions through the VCDP have strengthened value addition, infrastructure, business development services, and market linkages for rural farmers and processors.
He added that these efforts align with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of transforming agriculture into a modern and commercially viable sector capable of supporting food security, job creation, and economic growth.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted that quality certification would enhance Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), improving competitiveness of agricultural products in regional and international markets.
