Reducing post-harvest losses pathway to food security in North East, say experts

Agronomists in the North East have advocated modern preservation technologies to check post-harvest losses in the country.

They called for comprehensive extension services to educate farmers on modern preservation techniques to fast-track successful implementation of the national food security programme.

The agro-experts made this call while responding to a survey on strategic food reserve by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, Damaturu, Dutse, Gombe and Maiduguri.

They noted that addressing root causes of post-harvest losses is key to food and nutrition security in the region and country at large.

According to them, the measure will enhance implementation of the National Strategic Grain Reserve Storage Programme to achieve food security.

The programme is being implemented by the Federal Government, designed to provide relief in time of national disasters, drought and conflicts.

It is also aimed at controlling post-harvest losses and provide accessible market for the produce to maintain price stability and ensure food security.

The Federal Government constructed 33 silos across the country with a total capacity of 1.3 million metric tonnes.

Government had established silos in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa and Yola, each with 25,000 metric tonnes capacity.

While those in Yobe and Maiduguri, with 25,000 and 100,000 metric tonnes capacity are at various stages of completion, respectively.

Most of the facilities in the region are almost empty or now being used for other purposes.

In Gombe State, Dr. Mohammed Musa, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), stressed the need for state and local authorities to compliment Federal Government’s effort towards providing preservation facilities at grassroots.

“There is need for government at all levels to strengthen extension services to enable farmers adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to boost productivity and reduce food loss.

“With good extension education, farmers will know the best moisture content for storing produce. Moisture can cause spoilage and shortens the shelf life of the produce,” he said.

He said the menace could also be addressed through enhancing farmer access to subsidised packaging and processing equipment such as dryers, tarpaulins and containers.

Similarly, Mr. Garba Chiroma, Director of the FMARD in Yobe, said the ministry had adopted proactive preservation methods to check post-harvest losses.

He said government has been mopping up excess grain through aggregated dealers under the National Strategic Food Reserve Programme.

“The Federal Government is trying to prevent food loss through the provision of insecticide treated double lining polythene sacks, which enable farmers store their produce from six to 12 months,” he said.