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| Fruits Preserved through gamma ray of nuclear technology |
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
This agenda is particularly driven through the agricultural value-chains of the various selected crops such as cassava, cocoa, sorghum, wheat, soybean, maize among others. To large extent, the value-chains have been yielding considerable results especially in form of food production.
Already the sector is a major contributor to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with an input of 7.4 per cent as at 2006. It has been described as best source of employment generation, not explicit to Nigeria alone but Africa as a continent.
So, among the initiatives which contributed largely to this increasing farm yield is the Growth Enhancement Support scheme (GES), where farm inputs were subsidized for farmers with supports from the federal, state governments and the registered farmers.
However, its been reported that over 40 percent of farm produce gets lost as result of lack of storage facility. Nigeria is very much an agrarian state with large potentials to cultivate any crop. For instance, Kogi is the largest producer of cassava in the country but often suffers post-harvest losses. Chunk of Mango produce harvested in Benue state are wasted due to lack of storage, marketing facility. The same applies to Tomato in Jos as well as cocoa in other south western states.
Part of clear moves to reduce these loses were the establishment of Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ). The gesture was to industrialise areas with high potency of a particular farm commodity. It was designed such that, large industry which will take care of the harvests, processing and marketing will be setup close to areas where a particular crop is largely grown.
Introduction of Nuclear Technology for Agriculture
Meanwhile, as the drive is being sustained, there may be attempts to integrate the use of nuclear technology in food and agriculture. This is probably to complement plans to reduce post harvest losses, prevent wastage as well as improve in agricultural productivity.
It is a well established fact that radiation processing technology is gaining increasing importance all over the world, in agriculture through radiation treatment of food to prevent spoilage and food-borne diseases.
Nigeria as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), aligned some of its developmental agenda inclusive of the ATA with the IAEA.
In its Country Programme Framework signed last year February 14th for the period of 2012 - 2017, the nation gave priority to technical cooperation in terms of transfer and application of nuclear technology in the agric sector.
Some of the area includes use of gamma irradiation for food preservation and processing; application of irradiation technology in pest control; use of irradiation technology in mutation breeding; application of nuclear techniques in characterization of food contaminants, pollutants to assure food safety and the usage of research reactor for soil fertility mapping.
It is worthy of note that the nation presently has a Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) at the Nuclear Technology Centre (NTC), Sheda, Abuja, where it demonstrates radiation processing of food, agricultural and industrial products for commercial purposes.
So far, it has been able to focus on sprout inhibition of onions, potatoes and yams; insect dis-infestations of grains and flour products; delay ripening in fruits (paw-paw,tomatoes etc); microbial decontamination of meat, pork seafood and reduction of microbial load in species such as chilli pepper, ginger etc for exports.
It is believed that with this technology, Onion, a perishable commodity could be preserved for about six months without being rotten. Potatoes could also be preserved for a year without sprouting while fumigation on food for human consumption can be outlawed because of the proposed better and safer technology.
It must however be noted that the use of nuclear technologies come with high level of responsibility. This is because it has many global implications, in terms of safety and security. More so, it requires both bilateral and multilateral cooperation, in a properly coordinated way, within the framework of the IAEA.
But the question whether the nation is ripe enough to adopt this technology especially as it relates to food and agriculture is causing mixed reaction.
Some had expressed fear about hidden implication of its adaptation while others perceived it as a welcome development capable of boosting the sector.
A farmer, Mr. Adebowale Ademoye from Akoko, Ondo state expressed fear on safety of the people if the technology is eventually accepted.
He said though, it may be better to prevent farm losses and check waste but government should ensure its safe before total approval.
"The issue of harvest losses have been a problem for long. Though we have our means of preserving these farm items but can the government guarantee its safety?" Ademoye said.
Another top official in the agric ministry who does not want his name in print attributed epileptic power in the country as reason farmers should embrace the idea.
"The issue of epileptic power system in the country call for the inclusion of this technology. Look at the benefits. Its not new, its been used in developed nations and considered safe so why should our case be different?"
"FG is not investing enough in science and technology," he stressed.
Recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina met with the Deputy Director General of IAEA, Dr. Kwaku Aning during a visit to the Ministry. Aning was at the Ministry to discuss how the agric ministry can strengthen their partnership with the IAEA.
After much deliberation, Adesina however disclosed plan to hold a stakeholders meeting with the Supervising Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson in attendance, to further see to likely implementation of the agreement.
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