November 11, (THEWILL) – The Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Olufemi Peters, has revealed that Benue State contributes over seventy percent of Nigeria’s soybean production.
He revealed this while speaking at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Center for Food Technology and Research at Benue State University, Makurdi.
Peters noted that agricultural output in Benue was robust from 2009 to 2012, but inefficiencies such as premature or delayed harvesting and inadequate drying methods led to significant wastage.
Other factors he cited include poor storage facilities, lack of financial support, and limited processing equipment.
Addressing the gathering on the topic, “Impact of African Center of Excellence, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Post-Harvest Management,” Peters, who previously served as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, highlighted Benue’s maize production statistics.
He noted that the state produced 148.61 metric tonnes in 2009, peaking at 175.94 tonnes in 2010, and seeing similar volumes in subsequent years.
However, post-harvest losses reached 18%, which Peters said underscored the need for targeted intervention.
He said, “It was no surprise that Benue State University won the World Bank’s African Centers of Excellence grant to manage post-harvest losses.
“The $8 million grant, awarded after intense competition among over 100 universities in West Africa, was initially set for five years.”
Peters praised CEFTER’s alignment with Benue State University’s 2016-2025 strategic plan to rank among Africa’s top 20 universities in science, technology, and human capacity development.
He urged the centre to pursue research initiatives that collect data on post-harvest losses, weather patterns, market dynamics, and consumer trends, saying such data would be essential for shaping policy and guiding future interventions.
He also expressed confidence that through continued research and collaborative efforts, CEFTER could bolster the resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and drive positive impacts across West Africa.
The highlight of the ceremony was when four candidates, including Dr. Naomi Doki and Professor Phillip Abaji, were awarded N1 million each to support their research efforts, furthering CEFTER’s commitment to agricultural advancement.
