FUNAAB Unveils Eco-System Hybrid Dryer to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses

FUNAAB has unveiled the Eco-System Hybrid Dryer to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, improve food preservation and increase the value of agricultural produce.

The innovation was unveiled on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by Eco-Synergy Innovations (Nig.) Ltd. during an innovation-focused programme at the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), FUNAAB.

The programme brought together farmers, community members and other stakeholders for demonstrations of technologies aimed at addressing challenges across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

The Team Lead of Eco-Synergy Innovations, Mr Oluwagbemiga Adeboye, demonstrated the hybrid dryer and conducted an interactive training session for farmers.

The technology is designed to provide an efficient way of drying agricultural produce, potentially reducing post-harvest losses while extending shelf life and improving the quality, marketability and value of farm products.

Speaking at the programme, the Dean of the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS) and Mentor of Eco-Synergy Innovations, Professor Iyabode Kehinde, highlighted the importance of collaboration among researchers, students, entrepreneurs and other members of the university community.

Kehinde stressed that research should go beyond academic publications and be translated into practical solutions that address real-life challenges and improve livelihoods.

She called for more grants, mentorship and other opportunities to support venture creation, entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of research outcomes.

The Director of the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC), Professor Jacob Olaoye, called for practical, affordable and accessible technologies that reflect farmers’ realities.

He stressed that agricultural challenges could not be solved through theory alone, urging stronger partnerships between research institutions, farmers and industry players to ensure innovations are effectively adopted.

Olaoye also linked investment in agricultural research and entrepreneurship to job creation, improved livelihoods and food security.

The Director of IFSERAR, Professor Kazeem Bello, similarly advocated stronger engagement between researchers and farming communities. He said regular interaction with farmers would help researchers better understand production challenges and develop technologies suited to local conditions.

Adeboye, a graduate of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering and an awardee of the Federal Government Student Venture Capital Grant, advocated simple, affordable and efficient technologies for post-harvest handling and preservation.

He identified tomatoes as one crop that could benefit significantly from improved processing because of its highly perishable nature.

According to him, converting fresh tomatoes into value-added products could reduce waste while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

The programme underscored FUNAAB’s growing focus on connecting research with practical agricultural needs, particularly in post-harvest management, food preservation and value addition.

The university said its continued emphasis on research commercialisation, partnerships and farmer engagement would help promote locally adaptable technologies capable of improving agricultural productivity, reducing food losses and supporting food security.