By Rowland ‘Shuwa
The Nigeria Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Practitioners (NARAP) has disclosed plans to partner with farmers in the country so as to end the incessant wastage of farm produce in Nigeria.
Speaking with this reporter in Ilorin at the weekend, the National President of the association, Elder John Sunday Ahagbue, explained that the association is not happy with the annual lose being recorded by farmers in the country.
Elder Ahagbue was in Ilorin for a 2-day NEC meeting of the association held at the Stadium Hotel and Resorts, Ilorin, Kwara state.
In his words, “NARAP is greatly saddened by the huge waste recorded in the agricultural sector. We sympathize with our farmers and government who invest funds into the sector only to be faced with wastage.
“NARAP is so concerned about this preservation thing and we have decided to do something about it. As you know we build cool rooms; we build preservation centers and all others. The latest is that a cold chain project has been introduced into the country because of the food lost we have in the country.
“For every farming season, at the end of the day farmers lose about 70% of their farm produce especially tomatoes. When you get into some big local markets you will see that at the end of the day a heap of rotten produce will be somewhere.
“So to be able to prevent this food lose of a thing we are introducing the cold chain which was just registered some months ago to help farmers to preserve farm produce like vegetables, tomatoes, onions and so on.”
Earlier, Deputy National President of the association, Chief Olukayode Olonishuwa had explained that the slogan of the association which is ‘your comfort is our business’ was not chosen for appeal but for what the association truly stands for.
“Our job revolves around the comfort of the people; we ensure your air-conditioning set is working properly whether in the house, office or car. We also ensure that your refrigerating sets are working perfectly so that your foods are well preserved.
“So given the recent rush by Nigerians to go back to the farm as being propagated by the present administration in the country and the attendant farm produce wastage witnessed, we have decided to also create comfort for farmers through the introduction of the cold chain thing. So that they can preserve their farm produce and also make profits from their sweat,” he said.
Also speaking, the Lagos state Coordinator of the association, Pastor Gabriel Orenuga stressed the need for all members to be committed to the vision and mission of NARAP which is to create comfort for the people. He expressed optimism that the future is bright for both the association and its members and solicited total support for the president, Elder Ahagbue, in his bid to build a solid foundation for coming administrations to build upon.
Pastor Orenuga who lauded the Kwara state chapter of the association for a successful hosting noted that the state had raised the bar a notch higher and other states would have no choice but to improve on the hospitality received in the State of Harmony.
While expressing joy at the successful hosting of the National Executive Meeting (NEC) of the association, the Vice President North Central, Prince Olufemi Adeleke thanked the SA Artisan, Prince Olawale Olanipekun, the newly appointed BoT chairman of Artisans Congress in Kwara state, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adigun, President of Kwara Artisans Congress, Alhaji Saadu Alawaye and past leaders of Refrigerator and Air-conditioning in the State for rallying around the association to ensure a successful hosting.
On his part, the Kwara state Coordinator of the association, Alhaji Isa Wopa explained that deliberations at the just concluded NEC was a huge success as new vistas have been opened to the association and Kwara was happy to have been a part of the success story.
The NEC meeting had in attendance the six (6) Vice Presidents of the geopolitical zones and coordinators from all the states of the federation.
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