Perishable Crops Research Department (PCRD)

PCRD is a Research Departments in NSPRI. PCRD’s Mandate crops are in (i) Roots & Tubers, (ii) Fruits & Vegetables and (iii) Livestock & Fisheries Programmes. PCRD seeks to contribute to achievements of NSPRI’s mandate and vision by research and as a resource department (from training, research and experiences of research officers). PCRD is Multidisciplinary, consisting of Microbiologists, Chemists/Biochemists, Entomologists and Food Scientists. PCRD collaborates with other Research Departments and all stakeholders (farmers, traders, processors etc) from time to time as necessary. In line with Specialization Policy for the institute, Research Officers are expected to specialize along crop lines and broadly specializations are in (i) Roots & Tubers, (ii) Fruits & Vegetables or (iii) Livestock & Fisheries Programmes. Research Officers in PCRD are located in NSPRI Headquarters Ilorin and 4 Research Zonal Offices of Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Kano.

PCRD Mandate Crops and Products are concerning:

1. Roots & Tubers Programme: including Yam Tubers, Cassava Roots, Sweet Potato Tubers, “Irish Potato”, Ginger and Carrot and Products (as dehydrated products like Yam Chips, Yam flour (Elubo), Pandoyam Chips, Pandoyam Flour, Gari, Lafun, Fufu, Tapioca, Dried Ginger (whole, sliced or milled) etc.
   
   
2. Fruits & Vegetables Programme: including Tomato, Oranges, Mango, Pepper, Telferia, Amaranth and Okra Crops & Products (as dried products, puree, juice, and jam etc.)
   
   
3. Livestock & Fisheries:include Fish and Meats Crops and Products (as smoked fish, suya and other dried products etc.)
   
   

PCRD activity foci:

1. Improvement of crops and products quality, safety and storability (by establishment of improved handling protocols).
   
   
2. Attending to crops and product storage concerns for stakeholders including farmers, traders, processors and exporters, (by identification of gaps in practices and indication of recommendations and ideas for improvement of handling including development of processes and handling products).
   
   
3. Conduct of Surveys and Field Storage Research along the value chain (to establish status of handling practices, implications and improve storage trial evaluation).
   
   
4. Research Data Collection, Collation and Analysis (by Sensory Evaluation and Laboratory Analysis for Microbiology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Quality Standard and Entomology Qualities).
   
   
5. On-station Research (including for development of handling products, simulation of handling practices including conditioning for appropriate storage atmosphere and evaluation of effectiveness of NSPRI’s relevant technologies, storage structures and improved dryers).
   
   
6. Conduct of Crops and Products Storage and Processing experiments and trials (as may be related to ideas for improvement in Experiments and trials for use of NSPRI’s Improved Technologies to establish parameters for promotion and ideas for improvement).