FG approves establishment of food processing equipment development institute in Ekiti

In a significant move to enhance Nigeria’s agri-food value chain, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Food Processing Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (FOPEMDI) in Ekiti State. This initiative, spearheaded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aims to revolutionize agricultural processing by providing locally manufactured food processing equipment.

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, confirmed the approval in a letter to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. Halilu emphasized that for the institute to take off, the state government must provide essential facilities, including land for a permanent site and a temporary location for immediate operations.

Ekiti’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, hailed this development as a milestone for the state’s agribusiness sector. He noted that the state has recently attracted multiple federal interventions, positioning Ekiti as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

Boluwade highlighted that Ekiti was recently selected as the pilot state for agriculture in the South West under the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF). Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has sited the region’s first soil assessment laboratory in Ekiti, providing farmers with critical soil-testing resources.

The newly approved FOPEMDI institute is expected to address challenges in agricultural mechanization, improve post-harvest processing, and enhance value addition for locally grown produce. By producing modern food processing equipment, the institute will support farmers in reducing post-harvest losses, increasing productivity, and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian food products in both local and export markets.
Source- Tribune

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The establishment of FOPEMDI marks a strategic step towards strengthening Nigeria’s agri-food industry. Here’s how key stakeholders stand to benefit:

1. Farmers & Agripreneurs – With access to locally manufactured processing equipment, farmers can add value to their produce, reducing post-harvest losses and improving profitability. Processed agricultural products tend to have a longer shelf life and command higher market prices.
2. Agro-Processors – The availability of modern food processing machinery will boost small and medium-scale agro-processing enterprises, enabling them to produce high-quality, market-ready products that meet industry standards. This could also reduce reliance on expensive imported equipment.
3. Investors & Policymakers – The institute presents an opportunity for investment in Nigeria’s agro-processing sector. With improved infrastructure, Ekiti could become a hub for food processing innovation, attracting investors looking to capitalize on Nigeria’s growing food industry.
4. Export Market – Enhanced processing capacity could improve Nigeria’s positioning in regional and global agricultural trade by ensuring processed food products meet international quality and packaging standards.
5. Employment & Economic Growth – The institute’s activities are expected to create jobs in manufacturing, food processing, equipment maintenance, and supply chain logistics, further contributing to state and national economic development.

FOPEMDI’s establishment in Ekiti aligns with Nigeria’s push for increased self-sufficiency in agricultural production and industrialization of the agri-food sector. However, to maximize impact, the government must ensure that the institute is well-funded, accessible to smallholder farmers, and integrated into broader agricultural value chain policies.

For agribusiness stakeholders, this is a call to leverage the institute’s resources, foster public-private partnerships, and drive innovation in food processing to enhance Nigeria’s food security and economic resilience.