NEPC WORKSHOP: PHCCIMA President, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga Calls for Practical Solutions to Cut Post-Harvest Losses
Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, has called for practical solutions to cut post-harvest losses, describing the practice as vital for non-oil export growth in south-south Nigeria.
Delivering a goodwill message during a one-day capacity-building workshop organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) South-South Regional Office to boost Nigeria’s agricultural exports and support economic diversification away from oil dependence, she praised the event’s theme: “Optimal Processing and Handling Techniques to Enhance Global Competitiveness as very apt, stressing that the theme aligns perfectly with national efforts to grow non-oil revenues.
According to the Chamber boss, Nigeria boasts vast agricultural resources, including cassava, yams, palm oil, cocoa, fruits, vegetables, and seafood. Yet, the sector faces major hurdles: inadequate preservation methods, poor storage infrastructure, and failure to meet international quality standards, including results that bring about substantial post-harvest losses and frequent rejections of exports help undermine the country’s potential.
Dr Nwoga noted that the workshop is organized to directly tackle these issues with practical, hands-on training in advanced handling practices, value addition, quality assurance, proper packaging, and compliance with export regulations, adding that the goal is to minimize waste, extend product shelf life, elevate standards, secure higher prices on global markets, and establish Nigeria as a dependable supplier of agricultural goods.
Hear her: “As Rivers State’s leading business advocacy organization and a key member of Nigeria’s chamber network, PHCCIMA is deeply committed to advancing non-oil exports. It promotes skill development, better access to financing, stronger market linkages, and supportive policies for members and the private sector.
Dr. Nwoga highlighted how collaborative initiatives like this foster vital networks among exporters, government agencies, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. These connections, according to her, help unlock untapped agricultural potential, generating consistent foreign exchange earnings, job opportunities, and broader community benefits.
She expressed strong support for the program’s emphasis on practical solutions—such as improved preservation techniques, climate-resilient storage, and efficient processing—to sharply reduce losses while making products more appealing and reliable for international buyers.
Addressing participants, many of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and new exporters, she urged active engagement, meaningful networking, and prompt application of the lessons to grow their businesses.
Thanking NEPC for the invitation and organization, Dr. Nwoga looked forward to closer collaboration to accelerate non-oil export growth in the South-South zone and across Nigeria.
In her opening remarks, NEPC South-South Regional Coordinator Mrs. Ngozi Ibe stressed that much of Nigeria’s agricultural output loses value due to substandard handling, insufficient preservation, outdated storage, and limited knowledge of global export requirements—leading to heavy losses and overseas rejections.
She reaffirmed NEPC’s commitment to building capacity throughout the agricultural value chain and encouraged attendees to turn the training into concrete improvements for their enterprises and the national economy.
Also in attendance were PHCCIMA’s Head of intergovernmental relationship committee and chairperson PHCCIMA Trade Mission Desk, Mrs Tariboba Memberr, Chairman SME/ NGO trade group, Mr Jack Daboikiabo, Chairman Import and Export, Dr Ofon Udofia and Membership Committee Chairman, Chief Ernest Elochukwu.
