Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), says improved nutrition, reduced post-harvest losses and increased income, could be attained by farmers if they embrace value addition.
Speaking during the 2026 Farmers’ Summit themed “From Soil to Health: Value Addition for Better Nutrition and Higher Farmers’ Income,” organised by the MOUAU Extension Centre (MEC) at the University Alumni Hall, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, restated the university’s commitment to supporting farmers with innovative technologies, capacity building and extension services.
Prof Akanwa represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Nneoma Elechi Obasi, challenged farmers to move beyond primary production by embracing value addition to transform agricultural produce into nutritious, marketable and higher-value products.
She described value addition as a key driver of food security, improved public health, reduced post-harvest losses, job creation and increased farmers’ profitability. She further assured participants of the University’s continued support through research-driven innovations, technical assistance and extension services to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
In his address, the Director of the MOUAU Extension Centre, Professor Uchechi Apụ, pointed out that the summit’s theme underscored the vital role of healthy soil in sustainable agriculture and quality food production.
Prof Apu noting that value addition not only improves nutrition and healthier living but also boosts farmers’ income, explained that the annual summit is a platform for exposing farmers to emerging technologies and best practices in agricultural production, processing and marketing.
Making her presentations during the technical session, the Director, MOUAU Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD), Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka, advocated climate-smart agriculture and organic soil management to improve productivity and maximise income.
In her contribution, the Head of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Professor Patricia Ukegbu, highlighted the nutritional, medicinal and economic benefits of value addition and enjoined farmers to tap into opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
In another presentation titled, “From Vine to Value: Unlocking the Nutrition and Income Potential of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP),” an Agricultural expert from the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Dr. Amara Okoye, showcased the nutritional and commercial opportunities available through the processing of OFSP into diverse food products.
In their separate speeches, the farmers commended MOUAU for its unwavering commitment to their development through regular technical training, extension services and the distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs.
They pointed out that these interventions have significantly improved their productivity and livelihoods and pledged to apply the knowledge gained at the summit to enhance food production, improve product quality and increase their incomes.
Participants undertook practical trainings on snail farming, mushroom cultivation, and the production of organic preservatives, organic pest and weed control solutions using locally available materials.
