Food Quality Certification Adding Value to Farm Products and Profitability Training

The Food Quality Certification Training, titled 'Adding Value to Farm Products and Profitability,' aims to educate participants on the increasing reliance of consumers, retailers, and farmers on logos and certification schemes to distinguish food products. This training is crucial as it aligns with the significant shift in agriculture over the past decade, emphasizing quality and specialization. Participants will gain an understanding of various quality certification schemes currently operating in Europe and their growing prevalence, along with the economic implications these schemes have on the food supply chain. The course will explore the costs and benefits that accrue to farmers and the broader impact of food quality schemes on rural development, including aspects such as tourism, infrastructure, and employment. Additionally, it will address consumers' willingness to pay for certified quality food, alongside methodological discussions and evidence from existing studies.The workshop will delve into the types of food quality schemes functioning in both the EU and Africa, analyzing the compliance requirements that these schemes must meet under the internal market rules. It will also discuss the production standards mandated by law, which do not apply to imported products from Third Countries. An essential part of the training will involve examining the international legal context of food quality schemes, assessing their impact on imports, and exploring how EU quality schemes can be made more accessible to operators in Third Countries. Furthermore, the training will focus on identifying best practices in certification and control, benchmarking, and mutual recognition related to food quality schemes, providing a comprehensive overview in the context of current operational systems. This training is particularly relevant for MDs, CEOs, and founders in the agricultural sector, aiming to enhance product quality and profitability in Nigeria.