Former Agric Commissioner, Prof Anikwe Calls For Investment In Food Storage Infrastructure

A former Commissioner of Agriculture in Enugu state and Professor of Soil Physics and Conservation, Martin Anikwe is calling for investments in cold chains and other storage facilities especially for perishable goods to reduce the level of post-harvest loss in the country.

Prof Anikwe who appeared on New Day, a weekend breakfast show on Signature TV said the country must begin now to massively invest in storage infrastructure as a way of addressing the food insecurity in the country.

The former commissioner lamented that the country loses as much as three point five trillion naira annually to post-harvest losses due to lack of basic storage facilities that are easily available in other countries of the world.

Prof Anikwe also identified climate change and poor road infrastructure which hampers the movement of grains and other produce as another challenge to food security, noting that there have been many cases of trucks breaking down in transit, leaving foodstuff spoilt even before they get to the market.

The former commissioner also clarified what he referred to as misconceptions about Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs which he said are often politically motivated stating that GMO foods are thoroughly tested before being released for public consumption.

He explained that seed companies develop and modify seeds using advanced technology, making farming more efficient, insisting that there are no health problems associated with GMO foods.