The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ilorin, Kwara State, has awarded N2 million to Miss Zainab Adam, a corps member recognized for her efforts in reducing post-harvest losses through her smoked fish business. The award was presented during the “Skills Acquisition for Corps Members on Value Addition to Agricultural Commodities in Kwara State,” organized by Synergy Impact Consultants Limited.
At the grant presentation and the opening ceremony of a five-day training program for 50 selected corps members on Tuesday, Professor Lateef Sanni, Executive Director of NSPRI, addressed the critical issue of post-harvest losses in Nigeria. He pointed out that these losses contribute to inflated prices of agricultural commodities, with the country experiencing a staggering 40–55% loss in certain products. Globally, post-harvest losses account for nearly $200 million, while Nigeria alone sees losses worth no less than $5 billion annually.
Professor Sanni stated, “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.” He illustrated his point with an example of tomato paste being packaged in sachets, suggesting that focusing on tomato production could lead to significant advancements if local processing facilities are established.
He further explained the economic implications of reducing post-harvest losses, emphasizing that it would minimize income loss for farmers and agricultural processors. “This will allow farmers, processors, loaders, and off-loaders to earn more money. Products that can be stored for months will facilitate long-distance transportation and open new employment opportunities,” he added, noting that such initiatives would attract youth to peri-urban areas for storage and post-harvest haulage activities.
Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, the state commissioner for agriculture and rural development, praised NSPRI for equipping corps members with essential skills related to value addition and post-harvest management. She expressed confidence that these efforts would significantly enhance the corps members’ future prospects and could lead to transformative changes in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
On behalf of the NYSC state director, Mrs. Omolabake Adeniyi encouraged the selected corps members, who were chosen from a pool of 8,000, to maximize this opportunity for personal and professional growth. This initiative highlights the ongoing commitment to reducing post-harvest losses and fostering a more sustainable agricultural sector in Nigeria, ultimately benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises across Africa.
