NSPRI Signs MoU with Thistleberry Agro Processing Academy
The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) and Thistleberry Food Co. Ltd have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to transform agricultural training and postharvest processing in Nigeria through the establishment of the NSPRI-Thistleberry Agro Processing Academy. The signing of the MoU by the duo of Executive Director of NSPRI; Professor Lateef O. Sanni and his counterpart from Thistleberry Food Co. Ltd; Ms. ‘Dotun Abbi-Olaniyan took place in the presence of audience on the second day of Postharvest Connect conference and Exhibition at NAF Conference Center, Abuja.
Addressing the audience during the signing ceremony, Professor Sanni stressed the strategic importance of the partnership between the two organisations in addressing Nigeria’s postharvest challenges. According to him, the collaboration became imperative as it represents a critical step in our mission to bridge the gap between research and practical application in the field, adding that the NSPRI-Thistleberry Agro Processing Academy will serve as a center of excellence where our proven technologies for reducing postharvest losses will be taught directly to farmers and processors who need them most.” Prof. Sanni highlighted how the academy will leverage the extensive research capabilities of NSPRI and market expertise of Thistleberry Food Ltd to create comprehensive training programmes focused on value addition, quality control, and market access for agricultural products.”.
On her part, Ms. Abbi-Olaniyan shared her vision for the academy as a transformative force in the agricultural landscape of Nigeria. “Our partnership with NSPRI will allow us to create a unique institution that addresses the entire value chain”, adding that from harvest handling techniques to processing innovations and market linkages, the academy will equip participants with both technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in modern agricultural markets. Abbi-Olaniyan further outlined plans to implement practical, hands-on training modules that will be accessible to both smallholder farmers and medium-scale processors across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Both leaders expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute significantly to reducing the postharvest losses while creating new opportunities for value addition across the diverse agricultural systems of the country.
