Varsity Partners NSPRI To Reduce Farmers Post-Harvest Losses

Summit University, Offa (SUN, Offa) and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) have agreed to tackle the huge loss incurred by farmers in Nigeria, using the highly structured research-driven and innovation of the University.

The NSPRI, identifies the university as an institution that consistently fostered a culture of academic excellence and cutting-edge discoveries.

The partnership deal was sealed when the University team recently visited the NSPRI, in their pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration.

The acting coordinator of the Research and Innovation Unit, Mrs. Muhammed, M.O., the team from SUN, Offa, which consisted of esteemed researchers and scholars, including Dr. Akinfenwa, A.O., Dr. Okeme, U., Mr. Faruk, U., and Mrs. Ganiyat Kemi Afolabi-Yusuf, discussed on how to save several millions of naira lost by farmers during harvest period.

They were joined by enthusiastic members such as Afolabi Rofiat, Ibrahim-Ola Williams, Nafisat Lawal, and Mrs. Aminat Salaudeen from the Innovation and Advanced Science Research Group (IASRG), each contributing their unique expertise to the endeavor. 

The team received a warm welcome from Prof. Sanni Oladimeji Lateef, the Executive Director of NSPRI, who expressed his admiration for the efforts of Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, in repositioning the institution as a center for research and innovation. 

He commended the fruitful discussions held during a previous visit by Prof. Aibinu and the acting Registrar, Mallam Mustapha, M.A., which explored the possibilities of collaboration and the commercialisation of research products.

Prof. Lateef took the opportunity to shed light on the pivotal role NSPRI plays in addressing significant agricultural challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the preservation of farm produce. 

He shared the institute’s strategic initiatives and emphasized their commitment to preventing post-harvest losses through the utilization of both traditional and modern approaches. With enthusiasm, he assured the team from SUN, Offa of their readiness to share their expertise, collaborate and familiarize them with the innovative preservation techniques employed by NSPRI.

Eng. Dr. Omodara, M.A., the Head of Post-harvest Engineering Research, then guided the team from Summit University through the impressive array of facilities and research outputs at NSPRI. 

Notable among them were the advanced post-harvest storage systems, including the Evaporating Cooling System (ECS).

Harnessing the power of sunlight to evaporate water and lower air temperature, this cutting-edge technology demonstrated the Institute’s commitment to sustainable and efficient practices. 

This fruitful collaboration between the two esteemed institutions served as a testament to the power of partnerships and the limitless potential of dedicated individuals working together to advance scientific discovery and societal progress in Kwara State and Nigeria.