The Agric Business Incubation Centre director at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Philips Nto, has said the country records about $9bn in post-harvest losses annually.
Nto made the statement while speaking to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, Abia State capital, on mitigating food insecurity in the country as the farming season has begun in some parts.
He emphasised the need for governments at all levels to attach a higher premium to value addition to agricultural products to minimise the loss to the barest minimum.
“Value addition is very important to enhance food security in the country. To ensure food security, value should be added to whatever we produce.
“Agricultural products are perishable. So, the best thing is to add value to what you produce. When you add value to them, their shelf life will be increased,” he said.
Maintaining that such a move would go a long way in achieving the objective, he underscored the need for the governments to set up processing centres for the purpose.
The director, who had served the state in various capacities, added “So, what is required for us to solve the problem of food insecurity is value addition.”
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