By Abdullahi Lukman
The Niger Ministry of Agriculture has trained farmers on the use of a solar-powered bubble dryer to preserve perishable farm produce and reduce post-harvest losses.
The training took place Wednesday in Minna and was conducted in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Dare Consultant.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Bawa Musa, explained the program aims to introduce modern drying technology to farmers as part of a pilot initiative.
He said the solar-powered bubble dryer, designed by Dare Consultant, offers a hygienic alternative to traditional roadside sun drying and will be made available at subsidized rates.
Representatives from the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the National Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWA), and the Young Farmers Association of Nigeria (YFAN) praised the training, emphasizing its benefits in improving produce preservation and boosting farmers’ incomes.
Dr. Hassana Garba of the Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Agency said the dryer helps maintain the quality and quantity of perishable crops like tomatoes, ultimately increasing farmers’ earnings.
