By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of its determination to maintain the highest international standards, WACOT Limited has renewed its prestigious certifications from ECOCERT for organic sesame exports.
The two certifications validate the company’s exceptional processes for preparing, storing, and exporting organic sesame from its facilities in Ikeja, Lagos, and Gumel, Jigawa State to the US and global markets.
The first certificate, the EU Ecocert Organic Standard (EOS), confirms WACOT’s compliance with the EU Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products facilitating European and Great Britain exports.
The second organic certificate complies with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Organic Program (NOP).
The NOP, tasked with the responsibility to create guidelines and protocols governing the production, processing, labelling, and oversight of all USDA-certified organic goods, affirms the firm’s compliance with the rigorous organic standards set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The Head of Sustainability at TGI Group, the parent company of WACOT, Ms Yosola Onanuga, said the certifications are “a testament to our collective effort in promoting sustainable farming practices and enhancing the livelihoods of over 10,000 farmers through our initiatives in Jigawa State.”
The Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Mr Rahul Savara, noted that, “This certification renewal from ECOCERT is not just a validation of our dedication to sustainable and organic agriculture but also a milestone that enhances our capability to meet the growing global demand for organic sesame.”
The National President of the Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria, who is also the President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Mr Sheriff Balogun, while commenting on the development, said, “We are excited that a company like WACOT is putting Nigeria’s sesame on the map.
“Celebrating WACOT’s ECOCERT certification is not just about recognizing their commitment to organic sesame exports; it is a testament to Nigeria’s prominence in the global commodities market.
“This milestone is a source of encouragement for other players in the Nigerian market to continue to seek ways and seize the opportunity to expand the footprint of Nigeria’s high-quality commodities across the world.”
