Govt laments Gombe farmers’ post-harvest losses

Gombe State has lamented poor post-harvest losses incurred by farmers in the state, which it valued at billions of naira.

The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, identified over 80 per cent of the population as farmers that need federal and state governments’ help to preserve their farm produce presently being poorly managed.

Maigari described the theme, ‘Post-harvest Technologies: Panacea for Agricultural Losses’, as apt, as farmers lose a lot at the post-harvest stage.

“Combating post-harvest loss is challenging, but the immense benefits of reducing food waste cannot be overemphasised,” she said.

According to her, reducing food waste increases food security, ensures better life for farmers, women and youth empowerment, healthier ecosystem and more business opportunities for SMEs along the value chain among others.

The Federal Government also shared same concern, yesterday, in Gombe at a two-day workshop organised by the federal and state governments for 100 farmers selected from 11 local councils.

Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Monilola Udoh, explained to the trainees that targeted quality losses include those that affect the nutrient composition, the acceptability and edibility of a given product.

She disclosed that the ministry’s Bio-resources Technology Department would assist farmers and the agro-allied sector in reducing post-harvest losses and encouraging productivity “and make agricultural activities profitable.”

Represented by the Director, Bio-resources Technology Department, Isaac Anum, she promised to give the state government technical support.

The speech read by the Assistant Director in FMSTI, Mrs. Ronnel Dola, noted that only preservation of produce after harvest could keep farmers in business.