But Storage Conditions Raise Post-Harvest Loss Fears

Tonnes of dried bean pods piled in open warehouse with no visible moisture control or pest management measure

Thomas Adewumi  University's agricultural farm recorded what appears to be a substantial bean harvest this season, with a large warehouse on the farm premises found stacked floor-to-ceiling with dried bean pods  a visible indicator of productive cultivation activity on the university's land.

However, agricultural observers who viewed conditions at the storage facility have raised concerns about post-harvest management, noting that the pods are being stored in an open, unventilated room with no visible signs of pest control treatment, moisture monitoring equipment, or sealed containment systems.

The warehouse, a single-room block structure with open window gaps and no doors visible, leaves the stored harvest exposed to humidity, insects, and rodents  conditions that experts say can lead to significant post-harvest losses if left unaddressed.

Post-harvest losses remain one of Nigeria's most persistent agricultural challenges, with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimating that the country loses a significant portion of its grain and legume harvests annually due to inadequate storage infrastructure.

For a university farm meant to model best agricultural practices for students, the current storage situation may represent a gap between classroom teaching and on-ground implementation.

Farm officials were unavailable for comment at the time of this report.