MOUAU Encourages Farmers to Adopt Value Addition for Improved Nutrition and Higher Earnings

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) has urged farmers to embrace value addition as a strategy for improving nutrition, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing their income.

The university made the call during the 2026 Farmers’ Summit organised by the MOUAU Extension Centre (MEC) at the University Alumni Hall. The summit was themed “From Soil to Health: Value Addition for Better Nutrition and Higher Farmers’ Income.”

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Nneoma Elechi Obasi, encouraged farmers to move beyond primary agricultural production by adopting value addition techniques that transform farm produce into nutritious, marketable and higher-value products.

Professor Akanwa described value addition as a critical driver of food security, improved public health, reduction of post-harvest losses, job creation and increased profitability for farmers. She assured participants that the university would continue to support farmers through research-based innovations, technical assistance and extension services aimed at improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

In his welcome address, the Director of the MOUAU Extension Centre, Professor Uchechi Apụ, explained that the summit’s theme highlighted the importance of healthy soil in achieving sustainable agriculture and quality food production.

He noted that value addition contributes significantly to better nutrition, healthier lifestyles and improved earnings for farmers. He added that the annual summit serves as a platform for exposing farmers to emerging agricultural technologies and best practices in production, processing and marketing.

During the technical sessions, the Director of the MOUAU Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD), Professor Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka, advocated the adoption of climate-smart agriculture and organic soil management practices to enhance productivity and increase farmers’ income.

The Head of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Professor Patricia Ukegbu, highlighted the nutritional, medicinal and economic benefits of value addition, encouraging farmers to explore opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

An agricultural expert from the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Dr. Amara Okoye, also presented on “From Vine to Value: Unlocking the Nutrition and Income Potential of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP).” She showcased the nutritional and commercial opportunities available through the processing of OFSP into various food products.

Participants at the summit also received practical training on snail farming, mushroom cultivation, production of organic preservatives, and the preparation of organic pest and weed control solutions using locally available materials.

The farmers expressed appreciation to MOUAU for its continued commitment to their development through technical training, extension services and the provision of agricultural inputs. They noted that the university’s interventions had contributed significantly to improved productivity and livelihoods, while pledging to apply the knowledge gained to enhance food production, improve product quality and increase their earnings.