NGO Seeks Partnership with RMRDC on Tomato, Onion, Cassava Development
A U.S.-based international non-governmental organization (NGO), Pipeline of Hope, has expressed its interest in partnering with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to enhance the production, value addition, and post-harvest management of tomatoes, onions, and cassava in Nigeria.
During a recent visit to RMRDC’s headquarters in Abuja, the President of Pipeline of Hope, Lisa Brooks, emphasized the organization’s commitment to empowering farmers, boosting agricultural yields, and developing local agro-processing industries. She highlighted Nigeria’s rich agricultural potential and the need to harness it for economic growth, particularly by focusing on empowering women and youth in agribusiness.
Brooks stressed the importance of innovative approaches, including providing processing equipment to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the marketability of agricultural products. She also mentioned her organization’s ongoing work in sugar beet development as part of its broader agricultural initiatives.
In response, RMRDC’s Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, welcomed the initiative, noting the economic potential of tomatoes, onions, and cassava. He emphasized that while RMRDC is not the Ministry of Agriculture, it plays a crucial role in supporting agro-raw materials development and post-harvest loss management.
“The Council is willing and ready to collaborate with you, but we need to define the scope of our partnership to align with our mandate. Managing post-harvest losses is a priority for us—Nigeria loses about 50% of onions and tomatoes annually, which is a significant concern for food security,” he stated.
To facilitate the partnership, the Director-General directed the Agriculture and Agro-Allied Department (AAD), led by Dr. Seb Ebierekwe, to engage with Pipeline of Hope on implementation strategies.
The collaboration is expected to focus on research support, post-harvest management, and agro-processing development, with the aim of increasing productivity, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth. Both parties agreed to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), outlining specific areas of cooperation.
Key Attendees at the Meeting
The meeting was attended by RMRDC management staff, including:
Mr. Chukwuma Ngaha – Director, Corporate Services
Mr. Abubakar Kollere – Director, Industrial Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department
Mr. A. Mohammed – Director, National Competitiveness Strategy and Special Program
Dr. Chi Ihionu – Technical Adviser to the DG
Prof. John Eket – Special Assistant to the DG
Mr. Mohammed Nasir – Director, Pipeline of Hope NGO
The partnership is expected to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, reduce waste, and strengthen food security initiatives across the country.