The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) has lent Nigeria the technology it needs to reduce food waste.
According to PhilMech, Mersole Mellejor, Ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria, visited the agency’s headquarters in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija to seek cooperation in advancing food preservation and mechanization technologies Nigeria requires to reduce inefficiencies at its agricultural sector.
The PhilMech said discussions centered on integrating mechanization and post-harvest technologies like solar drying systems and other preservation technologies into Nigeria’s food security strategy and developing tailored training programs for Nigerian agricultural stakeholders.
“PhilMech is committed to creating a customized training module designed to meet the specific needs of Nigerian farmers and officials. This initiative will include a detailed budgetary plan and involve accredited manufacturers to ensure effective implementation and technology transfer,” said PhilMech, in a statement.
PhilMech, citing information from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, said some of the issues Nigeria’s agriculture sector face include low technology adoption and land degradation. Also, over 70 percent of Nigerians engage in agriculture at the subsistence level.
PhilMech spearheads the country’s agricultural and fishery mechanization programs in developing protocols and processes.
PhilMech is also helping implement the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Mechanization Program and the Coconut Farmers Industry Development – Shared Processing Facility program.
