At the 3rd Post-Harvest Connect and Root, Tuber and Banana Conference held Wednesday in Abuja, federal lawmakers and agricultural leaders united to address post-harvest losses, describing them as one of the most significant threats to Nigeria’s food security.
The conference, organized by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) under the theme “Scaling Post-Harvest Technologies for Enhanced Productivity and Competitiveness,” served as a strategic platform for policymakers and researchers to align on agricultural transformation.
Representing Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges, Deputy Chairman, Hon. Salman Idris emphasized the House’s commitment to providing the legislative backbone necessary for NSPRI and similar agencies to thrive.
“We are determined to ensure that institutions under our purview remain accountable, efficient, and aligned with national priorities for agricultural transformation,” Akinlade stated. He pledged that the committee would continue to advocate for “enhanced budgetary allocation and advocacy for increased funding,” while maintaining robust oversight to ensure efficiency.
Akinlade further described the gathering as a vital “synergy between policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders” aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s standing in the global agricultural market.
Mirroring these sentiments, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, highlighted the critical gaps in the root, tuber, and banana value chains. He noted that substantial losses occurring between the farm and the consumer directly impact the national economy.
“Addressing post-harvest losses is essential to improving farmers’ incomes, expanding market access, lowering food prices, and strengthening national resilience,” Senator Alli remarked. He credited previous conferences with improving the adoption of storage and handling technologies, which have already begun contributing to a more competitive agricultural sector.
Adamu Dabban, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), called the event timely but issued a challenge regarding the implementation of research findings. While noting Nigeria’s significant investment in the field, he pointed out that the “gap between innovation and adoption remains a concern.”
“Technologies developed within our research institutes must be effectively disseminated, adapted and scaled to achieve meaningful impact,” Dabban said. He urged participants to move beyond theory and focus on “practical outcomes” involving financing, extension services, and private-sector partnerships.
The conference concluded with a collective reaffirmation from the ARCN, the Senate, and the House of Representatives to translate scientific innovations into scalable, real-world solutions that benefit Nigerian farmers, processors, and consumers alike.
