The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, has trained selected serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kwara State, on value addition and post-harvest management of agricultural commodities.
The Executive Director of NSPRI, Professor Lateef Sanni, while speaking at the five-day training program organized by the institute, disclosed that the objective of the program was to encourage youth engagement in agribusiness as a crucial asset to achieving sustainable food security.
NSPRI is the only research institute saddled with the responsibility of conducting research into post-harvest management of agricultural commodities produced and consumed in the country, as well as to provide appropriate methods to reduce post-harvest losses, maintain the quality and ensure food safety and security.
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The NSPRI boss pointed out as a dependable partner for the youth corps members, the institute is ready to boost skills and improve networks for the next generation of Nigeria’s agricultural entrepreneurs, by harnessing the potentials in the postharvest value chain of agriculture.
Sanni described value addition as a viable and trendy aspect of agribusiness that creates job opportunities, increases farmers’ income, and reduces loss, adding that it’s already transforming agriculture from being an art to a business enterprise.
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The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Olu Onifade, advised corps members to jettison the thought of white collar job, stating that we are in the era of skill-induced economy, while calling on them to build confidence in their ability.
The Director, Agric Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed, on his own urged the corps members to think big and start small by turnning themselves into smallholder entrepreneurs by exporting their products to African states, especially with the implementation of Africa’s Continental Free Trade Agreements.
