The Federal Authorities on Thursday put the financial price of post-harvest losses at N3.5 trillion yearly within the Agricultural sector.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Growth, Mustapha Shehuri, made this identified on the presentation of the Worldwide Commonplace Organisation (ISO) Certification for Nigerian Saved Merchandise Analysis Institute in Abuja.

Mr Shehuri, who was represented by Shehu Bello, the Director, Lands and Local weather Change Administration Companies within the ministry, stated that submit harvest losses had a detrimental impact on Agricultural element Home Product (GDP).

”Put up-harvest losses is a worrisome state of affairs that threatens the Meals Safety.

“In fruit and veggies, it may very well be as excessive as 50 – 60 per cent if poorly managed, sadly not a lot consideration is paid to handle this downside as a lot as it’s finished for manufacturing.

”The financial price of post-harvest losses as reported by our associate, Motion Assist indicated that N3.5 trillion is misplaced yearly as a consequence of Put up harvest losses. This has a detrimental impact on Agricultural element Gross Home Product (GDP).

”The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) is about to handle the problem by means of acquisition of enabling infrastructure, instruments, tools and dedication of the Analysis employees.

Mr Shehuri stated the Laboratory of NSPRI accredited was a sworn statement to onerous work and the willpower of the Institute to be among the many finest Analysis Institutes within the Sub-Saharan Africa.

”ISO/IEC 17025 that’s being obtain as we speak shall be helpful for numerous testing procedures, sampling, and calibration to instIll confidence within the Analysis output.

“It’s a uncommon feat that’s achieved by means of the dedication of all employees beneath the management of the present Govt Director, of NSPRI, Dr Patricia Pessu.

”This ISO 1705 accreditation is a proof that the Ministry now has a Laboratory that’s acceptable for high quality administration system in place with the power and competence to supply testing and calibration outcomes.

”Let me additionally remind you that this accreditation shouldn’t be life and may very well be withdrawn for any stretch of sub-standard observe, therefore the Institute should maintain, keep, and enhance on the service supply.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture will proceed to help and be certain that this Institute and certainly different Analysis Institutes are commonly funded to execute their mandates.”

He appreciated the Nigeria Requirements Organisation (NSO) and Worldwide Requirements Organisation (ISO), for deeming it match to accredit the laboratory.

Earlier, Patricia Pessu, the Govt Director, Nigerian Saved Merchandise Analysis Institute (NSPRI), whereas presenting the ISO Certificates to the minister, stated the approval of the certificates would increase meals export from Nigeria to different elements of the world.

”With improved funding during the last 4 years, the institute launched into the rehabilitation of laboratories and began the Worldwide Commonplace Group (ISO) accreditation course of about three years in the past.

“The method concerned improve of laboratory services, procurement of apparatus commonplace grade chemical compounds, coaching of personnel within the numerous scopes and evaluation by the Nigerian Nationwide Accreditation System (NiNAS).

”At this time we’re right here to share the enjoyment of the accreditation of our laboratory on the headquarters, Ilorin as an ISO licensed laboratory (ISO 17025:2017).

”It is a nice feat for NSPRI as a result of we will now boast of a laboratory the place evaluation may be finished with high quality assurance (credible, reproducible, sturdy, and globally accepted outcomes).

”The quick achieve of this certification is that NSPRI can now be reckoned with as an establishment contributing to meals high quality and security in Nigeria,” she stated.(NAN)