The Federal Government has tasked the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) with developing new innovations to address agricultural production and post-harvest losses.
Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, gave the charge on Tuesday at Onireke, Ibadan, during the inauguration of the newly constructed NSPRI zonal administrative complex.
Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, represented the minister at the event (ARCN).
According to Abubakar, the NSPRI is the only research institute with a mandate for post-harvest losses and food preservation.
He urged the institute’s management and staff to continue to be highly creative, aggressive, and relentless in their research efforts.
“We want to see more innovations from NSPRI, innovations that are more accessible and affordable to the average person.”
“Innovations that are simple for the common man to adopt and provide unrivaled value to the people of Nigeria,” Abubakar said.
The minister also encouraged the NSPRI to collaborate with other agricultural research institutes, as well as local and state governments.
He also urged farmers to take advantage of the resources available at all Federal Government research institutes.
According to him, the Federal Government established approximately 16 agricultural research institutes to assist farmers.
“First, we have added Training and Extension Work to them for genetic improvement; we are also on the verge of allowing them to distribute inputs.”
“As a result, farmers must take advantage of the opportunities that are bound in the majority of these research institutes,” he said.
The minister stated that the inauguration of the newly built administrative complex fit perfectly into the target set out for all research institutes to ensure optimal performance of all outstations.
He stated that the new structure would not only provide a more conducive working environment, but would also serve as a catalyst for greater engagement and collaboration with other stakeholders.
The minister highlighted some of NSPRI’s accomplishments, including “the establishment of fish processing centers in Niger and Kwara.”
“Distribution of five proven technologies to 19 farmers in 19 states across six geopolitical zones – smoking kiln, ice fish box, hermetic steel drum, improved atmospheric silos, and parabolic shaped dryer.”
“There will also be training of Agriculture Development Programme subject matter specialists on technical innovations in post-harvest management,” he added.
The overall goal of the new administrative complex, according to Dr Patricia Pessu, the Executive Director of NSPRI, is to ensure that NSPRI researchers and other staffers work in a conducive environment.
According to her, this will encourage the institute to continue producing scientific innovations that improve food security and add real value to Nigerians’ lives.
“NSPRI Ibadan Zonal Office was created in 1956 and manages the institute’s operations in Oyo, Osun, and Ekiti.”
“The new administrative structure will, without a doubt, enable the zonal office to actualize NSPRI’s mandate far more efficiently and effectively,” Pessu said.
During the occasion, she announced that 500 stackable plastic crates will be distributed to tomato farmers.
According to Pessu, the distribution will raise awareness about the use of plastic crates and serve as a pilot case study to showcase the technology in the South-West, with the goal of increasing the country’s adoption of plastic crates.
He urged the farmers who would benefit to take advantage of the opportunity by making good use of the crates.
She maintained that a paradigm shift away from raffia baskets and toward plastic crates could have far-reaching consequences if supported by government policy.
As a result, Pessu urged the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a policy requiring farmers and sellers to transport tomatoes in plastic crates.
Dr Florence Kakulu, the Oyo State Cordinator for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, urged NSPRI in her goodwill message to ensure the timely release of research findings to end users.
According to Kakulu, this will not only reduce storage product issues, but will also improve food security.
In a statement, Alhaji Saliu Imam, Chairman of the Agricultural Development Farmers Association in Oyo State, praised NSPRI for its various innovations aimed at reducing agricultural production and post-harvest losses.
Imam urged the Federal Government to provide tractors and other mechanized inputs to farmers in order to improve agricultural practices.