Problems of food storage and preservation in Nigeria : an overview

Huge losses in quantity, quality and monetary terms do result from poor crop storage in Nigeria. These severe post-harvest losses cannot be tolerated when observed that large deficits exist between supply and demand for major food items in the country. The paper reviewed the losses due to poor storage. It also surveyed factors responsible for these losses, and some of the efforts made by the Nigerian stored product Research Institute (NSPRI). The author called for a National Storage Scheme for an effective and efficient programme to cut down losses to tolerable levels. The paper also suggested a proper linkage between the storage Research Institute and the farmers through an integrated extension service for adoption of new storage techniques so far developed and yet to be devised.