The Federal Government says it will assist small-scale industries and agro-food processors with the provision of up-to-date technologies to scale up their production capacity.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, said this in Abuja on Thursday when he received members of the Association of Food and Agro Processors.
Onu said the provision of requisite technology to micro industries would ensure safe industrial operation and increase productivity thereby creating more jobs for Nigerian youths.
He said the government would create a large army of micro entrepreneurs in the country in line with President Buhari’s agenda to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.
Onu pledged to support food and agro processors with relevant innovation to enhance processing of agricultural products like fruits, vegetables and cereals so as to ensure their availability all-year round.
“In fact, reducing post-harvest losses of our farmers is a major cardinal mandate of the ministry,” the minister astated.
He further said that the ministry would further ensure conversion of research outputs by its agencies into products and services so as to assist in economic diversification.