Prof. Daniel Adezwa, leader, Centre for Food Technology and Research, Makurdi State University, has disclosed that 50% of the food crop produced in the country was lost due to poor handling.
Speaking at the centre’s Food Week And Exhibition at the Benue State University, he stated that the centre was committed and would work tirelessly to ensure that the tides of cases of food shortage are stemmed.
He further disclosed that the products at the exhibition were produced by students of various departments using local crops.
He explained that the Food Week was aimed at building students to grasp practical problem-solving platforms and developing products from common foods crop.
Nigeria Records N2.7 Trillion Post-Harvest Losses Yearly
The exhibition was declared open by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Edward Umodu who was representing the Vice-Chancellor, Benue State University, Professor Msugh Kembe.
He commended the centre for its good works and for placing the university on the global map.
He added that the value addition which is the centre’s main objective will greatly reduce post-harvest losses recorded by farmers and even improve the sources of livelihood.
Through the support of the World Bank, the Benue State University has established the Africa Centre of Excellence for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) to address these challenges.
The mandate of CEFTER is to promote teaching, research and extension in post-harvest sciences, enhance agricultural productivity and industrial output for the socio-economic advancement of Nigeria and Africa.
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