Post-Harvest Losses : Nigerian Government Distributes Storage Materials
The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has commenced the distribution of agricultural storage materials worth millions of naira to farmers in Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, to reduce post-harvest losses.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director of NSPRI, Dr Patricia Pessu, said the Federal Government was determined to reduce the post-harvest losses experienced by farmers in the country through storage.
Represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt Zonal Office, Dr Idorenyin Nwaehujor, the executive director said some fish farmers in the country dry their fishes wrongly, making the fishes not meet the approved standards at international markets.
She noted that the storage facilities distributed by the Federal Government would help farmers to store their agricultural products and export for value addition, adding that the storage facilities, such as hermetic drums, can preserve grains and dried products for over three years.
“Our mandate is to carry out research into storage facilities and you will agree with me that the main problem of the agricultural sector is storage. The farmers are very hard-working in planting and what happens after harvest is the issue.
“So, we have carried out research over the years and we have come up with some technologies that will help to extend the shelf life of our agricultural products. So, those are the things we have brought today. These things have been distributed in many states of the federation.
“With these facilities, you can store your agricultural products after harvest and sell when you can make more profit because during harvest prices are very low,” she said.
Meanwhile, she urged the beneficiaries to ensure proper use of the items to encourage the Federal Government to do more. Remarking, the Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Dr Glory Edet, thanked the Federal Government and NSPRI for providing the storage facilities to farmers in the state.
Edet, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Mary Bassey, said the state government would continue to partner with the Federal Government to enhance agriculture production in the country.
Also, the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Uyobong Uko, said the use of storage facilities would eradicate the use of chemicals for preservation, as chemicals are dangerous to the body.
source Agro Nigeria:
