The need to avert losses of agricultural produce has come to the fore and a way out has been proffered by a governmental agency.

One of the things the agency is recommending is that farmers should partner with experts in agricultural research and development to curtail perennial post-harvest losses of produce.

Addressing the post-harvest loss situation that has led to the loss of over ₦300 billion worth of produce, it was suggested that a storage facility would do the farmers a lot of good.

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Giving the advise in Sokoto was the director-general, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Hussaini Ibrahim.

He said having an effective processing plant of agricultural products and initiating research-based storage would improve food security for Nigeria.

Ibrahim, who was represented by Emmanuel Kwaya, told “farmers in Sokoto, to engage in research partnership with experts and reduce their losses”.

“This development will aid our commitment toward zero hunger, promote productivity and profitability among farmers.

“It will also improve national economy and address the challenges of unemployment,” he said.

Tons Of Onion Annually

Furthermore, Ibrahim added that over the past three decades, the RMRDC had remained the national institutional framework for promoting local raw materials development and utilisation by industries.

“The gesture has achieved tremendous milestones in the development and growth of Nigeria’s industrial sector,” he said.

Ibrahim commended the partners and investors who had made the project a reality.

The national president of the Onion Farmers Association of Nigeria, Aliyu Maitasamu, said over two million metric tons of onion is produced annually in Nigeria, with 40% coming from Sokoto State.

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“Based on the annual estimate, the onion produced in Nigeria amounted to more than ₦700 billion, but about 40 to 50% of the product worth over ₦300 billion is wasted to post-harvest losses.

“This is due to the lack of adequate and effective storage and processing facilities at the farmers’ disposal.”