The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Storage Products Research Institute (NSPRI), has on Tuesday, distributed 190 improved post-harvest storage facilities to farmers’ groups in Oyo State.
The distribution of the facilities, comprising five smoking kilns, 125 ice fish boxes and 60 hermetic steel drums, took place at the Ministry of Agriculture, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Reducing post-harvest loss
The Executive Director of NSPRI, Dr Patricia Pessu, said the new technology was an initiative of the federal government at reducing post-harvest loss and waste of farm produce in the country.
Pessu, who was represented at the occasion by the NSPRI Zonal Cordinator, Dr Funmilayo Ilesanmi, called on farmers to embrace the facilities, noting that the facilities would go a long way in boosting their agriculture businesses.
She affirmed that the smoking kiln, an efficient technology for drying fish and meat, would ensure high quality products with permissible polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
Pessu noted: “The ice fish box is a cold chain technology developed for extension of shelf-life of fresh fish. It is an effective means of handling fish for transportation, distribution, and marketing.”
“The hermetic steel drum is an airtight technology developed by NSPRI for non-chemical preservation of dried crops/products such as grains, roots, tubers, fruits, vegetables, fisheries, and livestock. In addition, the steel drum can be used in household/domestic and small-scale storage levels,” the Director stated.
Maintenance for durability
She implored the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the facilities and prioritise its maintenance for durability.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi lauded the efforts of NSPRI in researching into facilities that would improve the nation’s agricultural sector.
Adebisi, who noted that post-harvest waste and losses had been a major challenge in the agricultural sector, appreciated the federal government for the distribution of the facilities.
He promised that the state government would build on the federal government’s gesture by continually supporting farmers to boost food security in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Paul Akinwale, commended the federal government for the gesture and promised to make judicious use of the facilities.
Lateefah Ibrahim
