NSPRI Executive Director Celebrates First Year, Calls for Collaboration on Postharvest Issues

The Executive Director of Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Professor Sanni Lateef Oladimeji who marked his first-year anniversary in office as the substantive Executive Director of the institute had made a call for collaboration on postharvest issues The one-year anniversary as the Executive Director of NSPRI surprisingly coincided with the 1st Postharvest Connect Conference and Exhibition organised by NSPRI in Nigeria Capital City, Abuja. Professor Sanni while expressing gratitude to God for the journey thus far had used the opportunity to call for greater cooperation and partnership in addressing the Postharvest management challenges in Nigeria.

 Delivering his appreciation remarks at the closing ceremony of the two days conference and exhibition had suggested effective reduction in crop losses and food waste which according to the erudite professor requires a coordinated, and multi-stakeholder effort. Sanni was quoted as saying the critical issues of postharvet management is all involving. “On the critical issues of agricultural postharvest management, we simply cannot do it alone.” adding that tackling postharvest losses demands collaboration across disciplines, industries, and sectors. In his earlier statements, he said that Nigeria suffers from alarmingly high postharvest losses, estimated at 20–50% of total agricultural production depending on the crop, noting that the losses represent billions of dollars in economic losses annually, as well as growing food security implications for the nation’s ever- growing population.

 In his appreciation speech, Prof. Sanni highlighted some of NSPRI’s key initiatives and accomplishments over the past year which aimed at developing sustainable postharvest solutions and technologies appropriate for Nigeria’s context, stressing further that the wider adoption and impact hinge on partnerships. “NSPRI is committed to pioneering innovative research and technologies,” Prof. Sanni stated. He expressed the need for strong alliance with farmers, extension agencies, private sector companies, policymakers, and development organizations to effectively disseminate and implement these solutions on the ground.” He emphasized NSPRI’s readiness to work closely with any agency that aligned with NSPRI’s mission of reducing postharvest losses, improving food security, promoting agribusiness development, and ensuring safety of stored food products. Prof. Sanni expressed his deep appreciation to NSPRI staff, partners, and stakeholders even as he looks towards a robust and prosperous working relationship while also re-affirming his commitment to providing visionary leadership in addressing the crucial issue through evidence-based interventions and collective action. “The challenges of postharvest management are far too great for any single institution or group to solve alone,” Prof. Sanni stated. “But by pulling together with a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, we can overcome these obstacles and unlock transformative progress.” Prof. Sanni added.