Action Aid Nigeria has raised concerns over the continuous neglect of Small-scale-agro-processing in the country.
This is inview of the federal government National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) aimed at diversifying the nations economy through agricultural development to ensure food security in Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
Speaking at a stakeholders Dialogue and Dissemination of outcomes of the Alternative cases to Polluting Agribusiness and Energy Projects in Abuja, Lead Researcher, Donald Ofoegbu who stated that a deliberate step must be taken to energize agricultural process noted that the transition to renewable energy will aid in boosting productivity, prevent wastage and loss as well as increase the economic viability and bankability of already installed solar mini grids. ‘
He said Energy transition proposals should be prioritized to pave way for gradual shift away from traditionally-manual processes.
Earlier, the Acting Head of Programmes, Action Aid, Celestine Okwudili explained the direct consequences of dirty polluting practices and advanced the gains of alternative clean solutions.
Analysis of the research findings indicates that over 45% of the Nigerian Population mostly in rural communities lack accesses to grid electricity and as such, the fraction of the population connected to national electricity grid are left with no option to use expensive, dirty polluting fossil generators as alternatives.
