By Enemona Ocheme, Kano
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to curb post-harvest losses in Northern Nigeria with the launch of a capacity-building programme for smallholder farmers and agro-processors, using Kano State as a strategic hub for the intervention.
The two-day training, organized by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), is aimed at equipping participants with practical knowledge on food processing, preservation, storage, packaging and marketing to reduce food waste and improve income generation.
Flagging off the programme in Kano, the Northern Zonal Director of NSPRI, Mrs. Alice Ajani, said the initiative was designed to bridge a long-standing knowledge gap in the agricultural value chain.
Participants at the Trainiy
According to her, while many farmers possess adequate knowledge of crop production, a significant number lack the technical expertise required to preserve, process and add value to their produce after harvest.
She noted that this deficiency has contributed to substantial post-harvest losses across the region, worsening food insecurity and reducing farmers’ potential earnings.
Ajani explained that the training aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on food security, economic diversification and empowering smallholder farmers to contribute meaningfully to national development.
She added that beyond improving household incomes, reducing post-harvest losses would stabilize food supply, moderate rising food prices and strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sustainability.
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One of the participants, Dauda Chana, a retired Comptroller of Customs, shared his experience transitioning into full-time farming after 35 years of public service.
Now managing Zam SAFE Farms in Damaturu, Yobe State, Chana said he has embraced agriculture as a fulfilling retirement venture but acknowledged that post-harvest losses remain a major challenge.
Dauda Chana
He explained that poor storage facilities, inadequate processing knowledge and limited access to modern equipment often result in crops spoiling before reaching the market.
Chana described the NSPRI training as timely, noting that the practical sessions have exposed him and his staff to improved preservation techniques and cost-effective processing methods that can significantly reduce waste.
He commended the Federal Government for supporting agro-processors through research-driven interventions and called on northern state governments to partner more closely with NSPRI to enhance value addition within their agricultural sectors.
Other resource persons at the training, including agro-engineers such as Toluwa Adamson and Jude Joel, emphasized the importance of adopting locally fabricated processing equipment. They said such technologies are affordable, adaptable and capable of boosting productivity among small and medium-scale agro-processors.
The experts also stressed the need for proper hygiene practices, modern packaging techniques and strategic marketing to ensure processed products meet market standards and compete favorably.
Participants were further encouraged to maintain contact with the Kano office of NSPRI for post-training technical support, referrals and access to specialized equipment developed by the institute.
The programme, which began on Tuesday, is expected to conclude on Wednesday with hands-on practical sessions covering food processing, storage systems, packaging innovations, branding, advertising and market linkages — key components considered critical to strengthening Nigeria’s food value chain.
