Post-Harvest Storage Facilities: NSPRI empowers farmers in 5 states
Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has commenced distribution of agricultural storage facilities and COVID-19 palliative to five states of the federation.
Speaking at the event, the executive director of the institute, Dr Patricia Pessu, listed the benefitting states to include Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Edo and Delta.
Dr Pessu, who said that the gesture was aimed at adding value and boosting the socio-economic development of farmers in the benefitting states, added that the agency has the mandate to conduct researches, build capacities and disseminate research output on post-harvest management of locally produced agricultural crops.
She explained that the facilities distributed included: Improved post-harvest technologies, like; NSPRI smoking kiln, Icefish box, and NSPRI hermetic steel drums, among others.
Pessu stated that the facilities would improve the post-harvest handling and safety of agricultural commodities in Nigeria, citing the NSPRI smoking kiln as an efficient technology for drying fish and meat.
“The use of NSPRI smoking kiln ensures high-quality products with permissible polyaromatic hydrocarbons,” she said while describing the Icefish box as a cold chain technology developed for the extension of the shelf-life of fresh fish.
“It is (also) an effective means of handling fish for transportation, distribution, and marketing.
“NSPRI hermetic steel drum is an airtight technology developed by NSPRI for non-chemical preservation of dried crops products, including grains, pulses, roots, tubers, fruits, vegetables, fisheries, and livestock.”
Pessu added that the NSPRI Steel Drum can be used at household and small-scale storage levels.
Also speaking, Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Saba Gideon-Issa, commended the institute for distributing the storage facilities, advising farmers to make judicious use of the items, “as this will add value to their agricultural endeavours.”
Issa also admonished them not to ”hoard” the equipment but put them to good use.
source tribuneonlineng.com
