The National Assembly (NASS) has affirmed its promise to provide sufficient funding for agriculture to help reduce post harvest losses and improve food security in Nigeria.
Sen. Simon Lalong, who leads the Committee on Agriculture Colleges and Institutions, shared this commitment in Abuja on Thursday at the 2nd Post-Harvest Connect Conference and Exhibition, held alongside the National Cassava Conference 2025. He was represented by Sen. Titus Tartenger.
The conference, organized by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), focused on using technology to make agriculture more competitive. Sen. Lalong pointed out that the National Assembly is dedicated to creating laws that promote good governance and support agricultural growth.
He praised NSPRI for its efforts in addressing food waste after harvest losses and called for greater financial support for the institute.
Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director of NSPRI, explained that the conference aimed to find sustainable ways to tackle the significant food losses happening in Nigeria. He highlighted that the country loses over 3.5 trillion Naira each year due to these losses, and emphasized that adding value to agricultural products is crucial for transforming the sector.
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The conference aimed to bring together various stakeholders to agree on strategies to cut down the 40 to 60 percent spoilage seen in crops like onions, tomatoes, and cassava by utilizing technology.
Prof. Sanni stressed that the Post-Harvest Connect serves as a national platform for everyone in the agriculture sector. He emphasized the need for collaboration to find long-lasting solutions and highlighted the importance of harnessing and expanding existing local technologies.
Mr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association, urged for increased investment in research and development for crops, livestock, and technologies to lessen food waste. He pointed out the importance of political support and government consistency in advancing these initiatives, identifying NSPRI as a leading institution for driving change.
“We have developed several technologies to help reduce food waste, and now it’s time to ensure more farmers have access to these solutions. Some states are already investing in storage methods, but many more need to step up to help farmers,” Mr. Atser noted.
Mr. Mustapha Bakano, National President of the Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria (CCAN), expressed the association’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda, focusing on meeting local demand for cassava products.
He mentioned the increasing need for cassava and stated that their primary goal is to ensure food security before expanding production for industrial purposes.
