By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army has intensified its non-kinetic operations with the deployment of modern agricultural technologies aimed at strengthening food security and reducing post-harvest losses across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said this at the inauguration of a parabolic-shaped solar dryer and inert atmosphere silos at the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFRL), Giri, Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), Maj.-Gen. JIB Manjang, the COAS said the initiative underscored the army’s commitment to supporting national food security through innovation and inter-agency collaboration.
He noted that insecurity, including insurgency and banditry, had disrupted farming activities and worsened food shortages, stressing that the army’s agribusiness intervention was designed to bridge the gap.
“These facilities will enhance food processing and storage, reduce waste and improve the quality and shelf life of agricultural produce,” he said.
Shaibu described the solar dryer as a clean-energy solution for hygienic drying, while the inert atmosphere silo provides chemical-free grain preservation by eliminating oxygen to control pests.
He urged stakeholders to ensure proper maintenance and optimal use of the facilities to sustain their long-term benefits.
Earlier, the Executive Director of NAFRL, Maj.-Gen. Sonyina Nicodemus, said the projects marked a major milestone in tackling post-harvest losses, which he said account for up to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural output.
Nicodemus explained that the Army farm initiative, established in 2017, was designed to support the Federal Government’s food security drive while generating internal revenue.
“These technologies will not only improve preservation and processing but also create jobs, stabilise food prices and strengthen the agricultural value chain,” he said.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders to provide additional support in the form of improved seedlings, fertilisers and mechanised equipment.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Prof. Lateef Sanni, said the project demonstrated the strong link between food security and national stability.
Sanni noted that the institute’s innovations were designed to ensure year-round food availability and reduce losses across the supply chain.
“We must work together to ensure Nigeria produces what it consumes,” he said.
In his overview, Project Manager, Michael Omadara, said Nigeria loses about 30 per cent of its produce due to poor storage and processing.
He explained that the solar dryer ensures faster and cleaner drying under controlled conditions, while the silo preserves grains for long periods using nitrogen-based storage.
According to him, the technologies have been successfully deployed nationwide and are critical to improving farmers’ income and national food security.
The event drew senior military officers, government officials, development partners and stakeholders in the agricultural sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
