The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has expressed satisfaction with rice processing centres established under the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) in Enugu State.
The commendation followed inspections of rice farms and processing facilities in Mbulu Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area, and Uhueze Nenwe in Aninri Council Area, conducted alongside IFAD-VCDP officials.
Speaking during the visit, SON’s Enugu State Coordinator, Mr. Peter Ameh, said the inspection was aimed at assessing the facilities, as the agency is responsible for product standardisation and quality assurance in Nigeria.
Ameh described the facilities and the efforts of the women farmers as impressive and commendable.
“The foundation is already solid. What we need to do now is improve on certain areas and guide them through the process of standardisation,” he said.
He disclosed that SON would organise sensitisation and capacity-building sessions for cooperative members to help them understand the Nigerian Industrial Standards for rice production and processing.
According to him, the goal is to certify the products under the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), which assures consumers that products meet required quality standards.
“When you see the MANCAP mark on a product, it gives confidence that the product has met the required quality standards,” Ameh said, adding that certification timelines would depend on how quickly the cooperatives meet necessary requirements.
He advised members to strictly adhere to standard procedures and documentation, including required registrations, to facilitate certification, expressing optimism that certified rice from the centres would compete favourably nationwide.
Also speaking, Dr. Edward Isiwu, State Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP in Enugu, said the initiative was designed to ensure that rice processed in the state meets national standards.
Isiwu noted that over the past four years, with strong support from the state government, the programme has shifted farming in Enugu from subsistence to agribusiness.
“Farming is no longer done the crude way; it is now a business and because it is a business, we must ensure returns on investment for our farmers,” he said.
He explained that IFAD-VCDP constructed a modern aggregation centre and a state-of-the-art rice processing mill for women cooperative groups to reduce post-harvest losses. The facilities were funded through a matching grant arrangement, with IFAD and the state government providing 70 per cent of equipment costs, while cooperatives contributed 30 per cent. Buildings and other infrastructure were provided at no cost.
According to him, the project also included a solar-powered borehole for water supply and a creche to support nursing mothers working at the facility.
Isiwu added that the state aims to ensure rice grown in Enugu is processed and branded locally, with SON’s involvement paving the way for certification of “Enugu-grown rice.”
“Our goal is to have SON-certified Enugu rice and other produce so that our products can compete favourably in markets across the country,” he said.
Earlier, the Traditional Ruler of Mbulu Owo, HRH Okeke Arum, pledged continued support for women farmers in the community.
Mrs. Nnenna Ejim, representing the Chidiebube Rice Cooperative in Nenwe, welcomed SON’s visit and stressed the importance of certifying rice produced in the state.
“We are into rice production, processing and marketing. We want our rice to go beyond Enugu State,” she said.