{Bank} of Trade, RMRDC companion to curb post-harvest losses, enhance onion processing in Nigeria
The {Bank} of Trade (BoI) and the Uncooked Supplies Analysis and Improvement Council (RMRDC) have agreed to companion with a purpose to halt post-harvest losses and improve worth addition within the onion worth chain.
The Director-Normal of RMRDC, Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, confirmed the partnership on Wednesday throughout a courtesy go to to the Managing Director/CEO of the BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, in Lagos.
Ike-Muonso defined that the go to aimed to discover collaborative alternatives in onion processing and export, describing the partnership with BoI as a strategic step towards reworking Nigeria’s onion business.
He famous that the collaboration would give attention to establishing a facility to course of surplus contemporary onions into high-value flakes and powder for each home consumption and export.
Tapping into untapped potential
In response to him, creating the onion worth chain could be a serious enhance for Nigeria and will additionally encourage funding in different uncooked supplies with excessive market worth, reminiscent of jute baggage.
He famous that the institution of an onion processing facility goals to harness the abundance of onions cultivated in Nigeria, which regularly undergo post-harvest losses of over 50% resulting from insufficient preservation, lack of processing infrastructure, and poor market entry.
“The proposed onion processing facility is anticipated to not solely reduce waste but in addition create jobs, help industrial development, and advance nationwide targets for agricultural industrialization,” he stated.
In response to him, the proposed facility would additionally improve meals safety and place Nigeria as a key participant within the international onion worth chain.
BoI backs the initiative with warning
Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director of BoI, expressed optimism and a powerful willingness to collaborate with RMRDC.
- He, nevertheless, emphasised the necessity to critically consider all vital variables and success components earlier than full implementation.
- Olusi acknowledged that each organizations had agreed to undertake complete analysis and feasibility research to make sure the undertaking successfully addresses post-harvest losses.
- He added that the initiative wouldn’t solely prolong the shelf lifetime of onions but in addition enhance farmers’ incomes and open up export alternatives for Nigerian onion merchandise within the international market.
- The RMRDC is a pivotal Nigerian authorities company below the Federal Ministry of Science, Know-how, and Innovation.
It focuses on selling the event and optimum utilization of Nigeria’s huge industrial uncooked supplies, fostering sustainable industrial development.
BOI is a number one improvement finance establishment, with the mission to remodel Nigeria’s industrial sector by offering {financial} and enterprise help.
