NSPRI Donates ‘Post-Harvest Hub’ to FUNAAB

Published On:

January 29, 2025

Last Updated on January 30, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide


By Femi Dansu & Tofunmi Adebayo

As part of its commitment to enhancing food security and post-harvest management, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has donated a Post-Harvest Hub to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). The donation followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between both institutions.

Receiving the NSPRI delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo, expressed his delight at the development. He noted that the collaboration was yielding positive results and emphasised the importance of a clear timeline for the project’s commissioning and integration into the University’s academic and research activities.

Corroborating the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of the College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), Prof. Adebukunola Omemu, described the initiative as a welcome development that would provide hands-on training for students, bridge the gap between research and practical solutions, and extend its benefits to farmers and the surrounding community. She further acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor’s directive for COLFHEC to take an active role in the project by selecting an appropriate location to situate the post-harvest hub, and it was done in collaboration with the Director, Directorate of Physical Planning.

Also speaking, Prof. Folake Henshaw, a member of the University Governing Council and a former Dean of the College, lauded the initiative, stating that similar projects have been successfully implemented in other institutions. She commended Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director of NSPRI, for his visionary leadership in expanding post-harvest technologies to reach a wider audience.

In his remarks, Engr. (Dr.) Michael Omodara from NSPRI highlighted the Institute’s long-standing contributions to post-harvest research, dating back to 1948. He explained that the newly established Post-Harvest Hub at FUNAAB was part of NSPRI’s Agricultural Research Outreach Programme, designed to bring proven post-harvest technologies into teaching, research, and entrepreneurship.

According to him, post-harvest losses in Nigeria remain alarmingly high, and greater awareness of available technologies could help mitigate these losses. The Post-Harvest Hub would be used for fish smoking and drying, grain storage under hermetic conditions, and other post-harvest processing activities, with a five-tonne capacity parabolic solar dryer as one of its key features. He assured that when properly managed, the facility could remain functional for over 30 years and urged FUNAAB to maximise its potential for the benefit of students, researchers, and the agricultural sector.

Engr. Omodara expressed his appreciation to FUNAAB’s Management for their hospitality and openness to collaboration.

Other attendees at the event included Prof. Mojisola Adegunwa (Deputy Dean, COLFHEC), Prof. Taofeek Shittu, Prof. Seye Onabanjo, Dr. Mathew Whetto, Dr. Olatundun Kajihausa, Mrs. Lucia Bakare, and Mrs. Omowunmi Olanrewaju.

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