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The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ilorin, Kwara State, has presented a sum of N2 million as a grant to a serving corps member who distinguished herself in reducing post-harvest losses.
The beneficiary of the 2023 grant award, Miss Zainab Adam, engaged in a smoked fish business and was unveiled during a training programme titled “Skills Acquisition for Corps Members on Value Addition to Agricultural Commodities in Kwara State,” organised by Synergy Impact Consultants Limited.
Speaking during the grant award presentation to Miss Zainab Adam and the opening ceremony of a five-day training programme for 50 selected corps members in the state on Tuesday, the Executive Director of NSPRI, Professor Lateef Sanni, highlighted that post-harvest losses have led to increased prices of agricultural commodities.
Professor Sanni lamented the effects of 40–55% post-harvest losses in agricultural commodities in the country, stating that close to $200 million is lost globally, with 10% of annual post-harvest losses in Nigeria amounting to no less than $5 billion.
He explained that the impact of post-harvest losses in the country is evident in the high prices of agricultural commodities.
“Why? Because the little we have cannot service over 230 million people. If we can reduce post-harvest losses even by 25%, no one would be saying that there are high prices for commodities. By doing this, everyone in all parts of the country will have intermediate products that could be stored for some days before processing.”
“One of the beneficiaries displayed tomato paste in sachets. If we could focus on tomatoes alone in this country, especially since they are abundant in the North, creating some kind of homemade facility for people would help us significantly.”
The Executive Director of NSPRI also stated that reducing post-harvest losses would decrease income loss among farmers and agricultural processors.
“Economically, this will lead to a reduction in income loss, allowing farmers, processors, loaders, and off-loaders to earn more money. This pertains to products that can be stored for months and transported over long distances.
“Additionally, there will be employment opportunities. If we can reduce post-harvest losses, the implication is that a natural influx of youth will surround peri-urban areas for storage and post-harvest haulage activities. This will create significant traffic in those environments.”
Also speaking, the state commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, commended NSPRI for teaching the corps members skills related to value addition, post-harvest losses, and the presentation of grants.
The commissioner noted that the organisation’s efforts would significantly propel the corps members towards success in their future endeavours and could also transform the agricultural landscape in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the NYSC state director, Onifade Joshua, Mrs Omolabake Adeniyi, a director in the scheme, revealed that 50 corps members were selected from a total of 8,000, advising the beneficiaries to make the most of this opportunity.
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