By AgroNigeria
In a bid to empower youths and women in agribusiness, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) organized a five-day workshop on skills acquisition and vocational training on grain processing and storage, at the National Centre for Agriculture Mechanisation (NCAM), Idofian, Kwara state.
Speaking at the event was Executive Director, NSPRI Ilorin, Dr. Patricia Pessu, and facilitator of the programme, Dr. Olabisi Awoniyi, who both agreed that farmers have suffered huge losses due to their post-harvest mistakes.
Highlighting the importance of mechanization in agriculture, Dr. Pessu who represented Dr. Olaleye Oladimeji revealed that the institute will provide the participants with equipment, which will go a long way in improving their harvests.
She urged youths to ventures in agribusiness, instead of waiting for jobs after graduating. “One of the ways you can empower youths is to train them in agribusiness, there are lots of space in agribusiness instead of looking for white collar job. The training module for this workshop is very rich and will take them through a lot like storage, processing and many others.”
On his part, Managing Director of Synergy Impact Consultant Ltd, Mr. Lanre Babalola, commended NSPRI for playing a huge role in ensuring effective and efficient implementation of various agricultural development policies of the federal government, especially in the area of post-harvest management.
He said, “If well promoted, agriculture is capable of contributing greatly to the growth of the economy, provide employment opportunities for the teeming populace, export revenue earnings and eradicate poverty”.
The MD also added that certain principles need to be followed in agriculture to increase production, maintain farmers’ welfare, good environment and consumers’ satisfaction.