----Reinstated his administration's commitment to cut down post - harvest losses ---
Prince Tyodoo Livinus
Benue State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom, today commissioned the world Bank's Africa Centre of Excellence for control of post - harvest losses at the Benue State University makurdi.
Governor Ortom who was represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment Hon. Dr. Tersoo Kpelai appreciated the world Bank for finding Benue State University worthy of hosting the Centre. The Governor commended the doggedness of the Vice chancellor, prof. Charity Angya saying, her untiring efforts earned BSU and Benue State at large the Centre even as many other Universities in Nigeria competed keenly with the BSU.
Governor Ortom said, the Centre is unique and strategic to the State in the sense that Benue State is an agrarian State and is labelled "The food basket of the nation" and the State with highest cases of post - harvest losses adding that, the Centre has the mandate to create synergies among stakeholders to develop innovative approaches in helping Benue farmers curb post - harvest losses.
He called on the Management of the centre to partner with Government ministries, Departments and Agencies to formulate and develop policies that will have far reaching effects on Benue farmers in the control of post - harvest losses saying, Nigeria though being the largest producers of pineapple and mango with 903,000 and 630, 000 metric tons per year, exports pineapple and mango juice from south Africa who produces 50,000 and 1,500 metric tons each for pineapple and mango.
The Governor while acknowledging inability to control post - harvest losses as the major challenge facing Benue farmers, reinstated his administration's commitment to cut down post - harvest losses using his Agricultural driven Industrialization policy.
Dr. Ortom said, his Government is in the final stage of completing an Investment alliance with OSTERTRADE an Italian company on equity participation in respect of Tomato /mango juice company at wanune in Tarka local Government assuring that the company will come on Board in the first quarter of next year and will reduce the losses for farmers of mangoes and Tomatoes at approximately 30%.
The Governor announced that, the Chinese contractor handling the Katsina - Ala yam flour Industry have been mobilised to site and is currently putting finishing works to complete and commission the company so as to add value to yam farmers in the State and reduce their post - harvest losses.
He finally, called on Universities and other Institutions of higher learning in the State, Research Centres, International Development Agencies, civil societies amongst others to collaborate with the State in finding innovative ways to control post - harvest losses.
Earlier, the Pastor NKST Iortyer Revd. Akpen Leva, conducted the opening prayer, prof. D. K. Adezwa (centre coordinator) gave the welcome speech, Vice chancellor prof. Charity Angya gave the opening remarks, project manager - Dr. Barnabas Ikyo did the presentation, Mzamber Farida Waziri who was the chairlady, opened the floor.
Vice Chancellor designate, prof. Moses Msugh Kembe gave the closing remarks.
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