The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has equipped agri-preneurs with essential skills to enhance self-sufficiency and curb postharvest losses.
The training, held recently at NSPRI’s Lagos Zonal Office in Yaba, focused on postharvest management and value addition to agricultural products such as grains, roots, and tubers.
However, participants engaged in hands-on sessions, which accounted for 90 percent of the training, learning to produce value-added products like bean flour, ground rice, odourless fufu, poundo yam, and flavoured pap.
The training also emphasized best practices in postharvest management and the role of packaging in enhancing product value.
Participants were taken on a facility tour to explore additional postharvest solutions beyond the training curriculum. The programme drew a diverse group of attendees from different age groups and genders, with both physical and virtual participation.
Speaking at the closing session, NSPRI’s Executive Director, represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Shuaeeb Oyewole, commended the trainees and highlighted the potential of their newly acquired skills to reduce agricultural losses, create jobs, and alleviate poverty. He urged them to champion postharvest loss reduction in their communities.
Participants, including Mrs. Olayinka Immanuel and Mrs. Olubunmi Afolabi, who joined virtually from the United States and Osogbo, Osun State, expressed appreciation for the training. Mr. Christopher, a returning participant, praised the practical approach and looked forward to future sessions.
The training reinforced a commitment to leveraging postharvest management skills for entrepreneurship, job creation, and wealth generation in communities.
1 comment
One of the problem with our agencies is that they are not innovative. They only know about chemicals which is the major problem of post harvest management.