The National Assembly has expressed commitment to ensure improved budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) for effective post-harvest solutions and related interventions.

Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges, Rep. Abiodun Akinlade, made the commitment at the 3rd Post-Harvest Connect and Root, Tuber and Banana Conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

The conference, convened by NSPRI in collaboration with other stakeholders, has the theme: “Scaling Post-Harvest Technologies for Enhanced Productivity and Competitiveness”.

Mr Akinlade, represented by his deputy, Salman Idris, said the committee recognised that post-harvest losses remain one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s food security.

He said the committee would continue to support NSPRI and other agricultural research institutions through legislative backing, enhanced budgetary allocation, and advocacy for increased funding.

“We are determined to ensure that institutions under our purview remain accountable, efficient, and aligned with national priorities for agricultural transformation. I reaffirm our committee’s commitment to robust oversight functions,” he said.

Mr Akinlade described the conference as a testament to synergy between policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

He said it provides a platform to showcase innovations, exchange ideas, and build partnerships that would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global agriculture.

“We stand ready to collaborate with NSPRI and all stakeholders to translate these innovations into scalable solutions that will benefit farmers, processors and consumers alike,” he said.

Also, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, said substantial losses still occur between harvest and consumption, especially in root, tuber, and banana value chains.

He said addressing post-harvest losses is essential to improving farmers’ incomes, expanding market access, lowering food prices, and strengthening national resilience.

Mr Alli noted that previous editions of the conference had strengthened collaboration among researchers, agribusinesses, policymakers, and development partners, while also improving awareness and adoption of storage and handling technologies.

According to him, the outcomes are contributing meaningfully to a more efficient and competitive agricultural value chain.

He assured that the committee remains committed to strengthening education, research, and institutional capacity as the foundation of agricultural transformation.

In his remarks, the executive secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Adamu Dabban, said the event was timely, given the growing importance of post-harvest management to agricultural productivity and national development.

He said the programme aligns with ARCN’s mandate to coordinate and promote agricultural research that responds to national needs.

Mr Dabban noted that while Nigeria has made considerable investments in agricultural research, the gap between innovation and adoption remains a concern.

“Technologies developed within our research institutes must be effectively disseminated, adapted and scaled to achieve meaningful impact,” he said.

He said the conference offers an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among research institutions, universities, extension agencies, the private sector, and development partners.

Mr Dabban urged participants to focus on practical outcomes that would improve technology scaling, access to financing, extension services, and policy support.

He assured ARCN’s continued commitment to initiatives that enhance the effectiveness of the national agricultural research system. 

(NAN)