NSPRI to engage Ekiti State Govt in Strategic Collaboration on Agricultural Practices
Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) on the 15th of August, 2024 received the duo of Commissioner of Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperative, Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade in a courtesy visit to the institute’s headquarters,Ilorin, Kwara State. The Executive Director of NSPRI, Prof Lateef Oladimeji Sanni who welcomed the commissioners to the Institute noted that the visit was a significant move by Ekiti State Government to foster collaboration. After a brief discussion with the visitors, Professor Sanni said it was imperative as a matter of honour to take the visitors on a tour round the institute’s facilities for them to have first-hand information as eyewitness to the NSPRI’s technologies and research outputs that could be replicated soon in Ekiti State.
The Honourable Commissioner for Trade, and Industry, Mrs Omotayo stated that the primary aim of the visit to the institute was to explore potential collaborations between Ekiti State Government and NSPRI, particularly in the areas of agricultural storage and post-harvest technologies. While recognizing the critical role that proper storage solutions play in reducing post-harvest losses, Mrs Omotayo said it was imperative to tap into NSPRI’s extensive expertise in developing innovative storage technologies. She also highlighted the importance of industrial growth in Ekiti State and how efficient storage systems could significantly enhance the value chain in agriculture. Omotayo, however noted that the state’s industrial and cooperative sectors are poised for rapid growth, provided there are robust post-harvest management systems in place. She emphasized that partnership with NSPRI could lead to the introduction of advanced storage solutions that would benefit farmers, cooperatives, and industries across the state. In his contributions, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade emphasized on the need for modern storage technologies for preserving the quality of agricultural produce in Ekiti State. He pointed out that post-harvest losses have been a significant challenge for farmers which affect their incomes and the overall food security in the region. Mr Boluwade expressed optimism that partnering with NSPRI would enable the state to adopt cutting-edge technologies that would mitigate these losses and ensure that agricultural produce retain their qualities from the farms to the markets. In addition to discussing storage solutions, Mrs Omotayo encouraged NSPRI to consider setting up an incubation centre in Ekiti State. She highlighted that the state possesses an abundance of land, which could be utilized to establish such a centre, adding that the proposed incubation centre would serve as a hub for research, training, and the development of innovative storage and agricultural technologies to meet the unique needs of farmers and industries in Ekiti State. She further explained that the initiative would not only support the local agricultural sector, but also position Ekiti State as a leader in agricultural innovation in the region.
The institute’s Executive Director, Prof sanni said that NSPRI was ready to collaborate with Ekiti State Government. While providing an overview of NSPRI’s research and technological advancements in the field of agricultural storage, including the development of hermetic storage systems, improved silos, and cold chain technologies, Prof. Sanni said NSPRI’s innovations were designed to address the specific challenges faced by farmers in Nigeria. He added that they can be customized to meet the needs of Ekiti State. Prof.Sanni further highlighted NSPRI’s role in training and capacity building for farmers and cooperatives, which could be integral to the successful adoption of these technologies. Prof Sanni assured the commissioners that NSPRI would provide the necessary support to ensure that Ekiti State reaps the full benefits of modern storage solutions. The courtesy visit by Commissioners Omotayo Adeola and Ebenezer Boluwade marks the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful partnership between Ekiti State and NSPRI. By collaborating with NSPRI, Ekiti State aims to enhance its agricultural and industrial sectors through the adoption of innovative storage technologies, ultimately leading to increased productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, and improved livelihoods for farmers and stakeholders in the state.
