Conference tackles postharvest loss and food safety in Nigeria

2 May 2024

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), under the leadership of Professor Lateef Sanni, hosted its inaugural Postharvest Connect Conference at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja on April 18 and 19. The conference aimed to address the critical issue of postharvest losses in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the Food Convergence Innovation – Nigeria platform.

FCI-Nigeria platform members at the unveiling of the Food Convergence Innovation (FCI) – Nigeria memorandum of understanding (bottom right insert – the MoU). The unveiling was done by Dr Kenton Dashiell, IITA’s DDG-P4D (Front: the fourth person from the right), and Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security (Front: the fifth person from the left).
FCI-Nigeria platform members at the unveiling of the Food Convergence Innovation (FCI) – Nigeria memorandum of understanding (bottom right insert – the MoU). The unveiling was done by Dr Kenton Dashiell, IITA’s DDG-P4D (Front: the fourth person from the right), and Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security (Front: the fifth person from the left).

The signing of the MoU, as outlined in the Communique from the FCI stakeholder convention in Nigeria, was a crucial step to formalize partners’ commitment to tackling food safety risks, particularly aflatoxins. The multistakeholder MoU was unveiled by IITA’s Deputy Director-General, Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, and the Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

The Food Safety for Africa EU HORIZON project, serving as the event’s co-host, coordinated an exhibition session to showcase information about the project and strategies for addressing food safety risks. Representatives from various partner institutions, including IITA, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), and others, demonstrated their commitment to the cause.

Addressing the audience, Prof. Sanni emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable development for income generation, policy stabilization, and poverty alleviation. In his goodwill message, Simeon Ehui, IITA’s Director-General, represented by IITA Yam Seed System Specialist, Beatrice Aighewi, also highlighted the significance of reducing food loss and waste to promote equitable access to nutrition. Likewise, Chairman of the Governing Board, Sierra Leone Agriculture Research Institute (SLARI) and IITA Country Representative in Sierra Leone, Dr Alfred Dixon advised on the need to produce food in ways that create wealth, stating that this can only be done when there are postharvest solutions.

A panel session chaired by External Training Manager at IITA Capacity Development Office, Olumodupe Banwo featured presentations by IITA Plant Pathologist Alejandro Ortega-Beltran and Food Safety Scientist, Titilayo Falade on scaling up innovation and alliance in reducing postharvest losses of foods, and improving food safety in informal sectors, respectively. IITA Postharvest Engineer Thierno Diallo and Executive Manager of Young Africa Works (IITA Project), Aline Mugisho also led discussions on existing postharvest interventions in Nigeria and linking postharvest markets and access to services using digital solutions.

Team at the FS4Africa exhibition booth, first Postharvest Connect Conference, Abuja, Nigeria. From L-R: Ezekiel Udoko (from HIL), Abiodun Opaleye, Modupe Banwo, Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, and Iremide Olasope (from IITA).
Team at the FS4Africa exhibition booth, first Postharvest Connect Conference, Abuja, Nigeria. From L-R: Ezekiel Udoko (from HIL), Abiodun Opaleye, Modupe Banwo, Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, and Iremide Olasope (from IITA).

The conference concluded with a sense of hope and determination to revolutionize postharvest management, reduce food loss and waste, and promote sustainable agricultural practices for a brighter future.

Contributed by Iremide Olasope