Post-Harvest Losses Affecting Nigeria Food Security, Sustainability — FMAFS

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has said Nigeria’s food security and sustainability are being undermined by post-harvest losses.

Mr Olawumi Ayodele, Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services (FDAES) at FMAFS, stated this in Ibadan during a training on cassava cultivation and processing best practices.

 

The training was organised for cassava farmers in Oyo State.

 

Ayodele, represented by Principal Agricultural Officer, Mrs Temitope Banjo, said 40 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural produce is lost post-harvest through various means.

 

He listed causes of the losses to include poor agricultural practices during planting, crop management, storage, transportation, and marketing.

 

“If we can drastically reduce post-harvest losses in Nigeria, it will strengthen food security, enhance sustainability, and improve farmers’ earnings and livelihoods.

 

“The essence of farming is to improve farmers’ livelihoods and ensure sustained agricultural development,” he said.

 

Ayodele said the training sought to equip farmers with knowledge to reduce losses and strengthen food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

He noted that the programme would enhance farmers’ skills in cassava cultivation and discourage the use of harmful chemicals in cassava processing.

 

The director said Oyo State was chosen for the training because of its prominence in cassava production and its contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

 

According to him, the ministry is promoting food security with nutritional value, not food that endangers citizens’ health.

 

In his remarks, the Oyo State FMAFS Coordinator, Mr Adetunji Samson, urged farmers to adopt innovative agricultural practices to minimise wastage and increase income.

 

Samson, represented by Chief Agricultural Superintendent, Mr Oluwatoyin Adefeso, said the ministry would work with NAFDAC to educate farmers on the risks of using harmful storage chemicals.

 

Also speaking, Oyo State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Adewumi Abas, said the training would help farmers adopt standard practices in cultivation, harvesting, and marketing.

 

The participants received sprayer equipment at the end of the training.