WACOT Limited, a TGI Group company, has secured its certification from ECOCERT (a France-based global leader in organic certification) to export organic sesame in adherence to international standards, and positions Jigawa State as a pivotal organic sesame source for the US and worldwide markets.
In a statement on Wednesday, the company noted that the first certificate, EU Ecocert Organic Standard (EOS), confirms its compliance with the EU Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labeling of organic products facilitating European and Great Britain exports.
Concurrently, the second organic certificate complies with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Organic Program (NOP).
Rahul Savara, the Group Managing Director of TGI Group said that the certifications validate the company’s processes for preparing, storing, and exporting organic sesame from its facilities in Ikeja, Lagos, and Gumel, Jigawa State.
“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 Organic Program (NOP), tasked with the responsibility to create guidelines and protocols governing the production, processing, labeling, and oversight of all USDA-certified organic goods, has affirmed WACOT’s compliance with the rigorous organic standards set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture.”
Savara noted that as one of the world’s leading sesame producers, Nigeria sees approximately 80 percent of its production exported annually, with WACOT at the forefront of crop cultivation.
“Over the past six years, WACOT’s approach has improved agricultural practices and yields and established a robust support system for farmers, including the pioneering WACOT Sesame Academy.”
