FG distributes 105 storage facilities to farmers in Edo

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has distributed no fewer that 105 post harvest storage facilities to seven women and youths farmers’ groups in Edo.

Daily Trust reports that the facilities distributed to seven farmers group included 25 ice fish boxes and 80 Hermetic drums

Speaking during the distribution, the NSPRI Executive Director, Dr Patricia Pessu, said the distribution was part of the federal government’s efforts aimed at ensuring food security in the country.

According to him, the effort was also to discourage the use of chemical to store farm produce and reduce post harvest losses of farm produce.

Represented by Dr Samuel Agoda, an Agricultural Extensionist, said the items are modern technologies developed for farmers to store farm produce after harvest.

“Some of these technologies include, Grain technologies which include, improved inert atmosphere silos, Hermetic drums, fruit and vegetable technology and livestock and fishery technologies such as fish box.”

“We are here today to distribute the fish boxes and the Hermetic drums. Others storage facilities like the smoking kiln would be distributed at a later date,” she said.

He assured that NSPRI is committed to ensuring that post harvest losses was reduced.

The permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, said post harvest losses have been a major problem in the agricultural sector and would go a long way to solving the problem.

He advised the beneficiaries not to sell the items, warning that they will blacklist any farmer found selling the inputs.

Mr Victoria Obaje, a farmer and one of the beneficiaries, thanked the Agency for the kind gesture.

The beneficiaries are Evbuokhea women farmers group, Iddo maize women farmers association, Imose Fadama 111 cooperative society and Uvbe Maize farmers Group.

Others are Hope women MPCS, Catholic women organization (MPCS) and Omega fish farmers cooperative society.