By Bisola Adeyemo
As part of efforts to improve agricultural sector in Nigeria, the Federal Government has distributed improved storage facilities to 11 women farmer groups in Yobe State.
The facilities was distributed through Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) on Wednesday in Damaturu, NAN learnt.
While distributing the equipment with beneficiaries, Alhaji Ali Kolo, Programme Manager, Yobe Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), said the equipment included Smoking kiln, Ice Fish box, and Hermetic steel drum which will boost farm produce.
The benefitting groups include Women Fish Processing, Taimakon Kaidakai, Women Fish and Small Ruminants Farmers, Gujba Women Development Initiative and Amshi Women Fish Farmers.
Mr Ibrahim Elisha, Research Officer II, NSPRI, said the Institute was mandated, “to conduct research, build capacity and disseminate research output in the postharvest management of agricultural produced in Nigeria.
“In an effort to improve the postharvest handling and safety of agricultural commodities in Nigeria, our Institute is distributing improved postharvest technologies (NSPRI Smoking Kiln, Ice Fish Box, NSPRI Hermetic Steel Drum), to beneficiaries in the postharvest value chain in selected states across the six geopolitical zones in the country.
“NSPRI Smoking Kiln is an efficient technology for drying fish and meat. The use of NSPRI smoking kiln ensures high quality products with permissible polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
“Ice Fish Box is a cold chain technology developed for extension of shelf-life of fresh fish. It is an effective means of handling fish for transportation, distribution and marketing,” he said.