Friday, September 16,
2016
The Minister of State
for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri has said that the Federal Government
would save $8billion through new storage technologies developed by the Nigerian
Stored Products Research Institute, Illorin (NSPRI).
This is contained in a
statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information in the ministry, Mrs
Blessing Lere-Adams in Abuja on Thursday.
The statement quoted
Lokpobiri to have made the statement while receiving a team of researchers from
the institute lead by Executive Director, Prof. Peters Olufemi in Abuja.
Lokpobiri said that the
institute had been able to fabricate and develop technologies that would reduce
storage problems of all food crops in the country.
He said the development
would aid Nigeria's target of self sufficiency in food production through
reduction in post harvest losses.
The minister said the
initiative would also ensure that agricultural produce will be kept within the
food supply chain.
Lopkobiri recalled that
findings from 2013 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) factsheets and NSPRI
survey conducted in all geo-political zones, estimated food losses to be 51.3
tonnes across all crops; valued at $8.9 billion dollars.
The minister said that
the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved increased
food production and was addressing post harvest losses along all the value
chains.
He said the initiative
was a sure path to food security for the country and would enhance exportation
of agricultural produce which will boost foreign exchange reserve.
Lokpobiri assured the
teams of Government's support to strengthen the institute with necessary
funding to enable them perform their mandate which included development of post
harvest technologies for farmers and cottage industries.
Earlier, Olufemi said
the management of the institute was repositioning the institute to play a
critical role in the country's quest for food security, earn foreign exchange
and boost the economy.
Olufemi also stated
that the institute will continue to develop appropriate post harvest
technologies for farmers, agro-allied industries and other relevant
stakeholders.
He said the institute
also carried out research into the improvement and maintenance of qualities of
all crops including fisheries and livestock.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN.