Abstract

Project 1 was carried out by Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (FUAM-LISA) in collaboration with Benue State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BSMANR) and Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, Nigeria using student trainees from FUAM-LISA and CEFTER. The project designed and implemented a survey for the assessment of post-harvest losses of orange, watermelon, and mango in Benue State, Nigeria. The following results were achieved during the project: (1) Students from FUAM-LISA and CEFTER were trained to be collaborative statisticians who could move from theory to practice; interfacing with local actors to proffer solutions to developmental problems. (2) the project provided estimates of quantitative, relative and economic losses of orange, watermelon and mango during major harvest and post-harvest operations. (3) Provision of a policy brief for the local actor; BSMANR.

Project 2 was carried out by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (MOUAU-LISA) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Agricultural Engineering of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria using student trainees from MOUAU-LISA. The collaborative partner provided technical support in fish farming and processing while MOUAU-LISA designed and implemented the project. A baseline survey was conducted to identify situational constraints of the traditional method of fish processing and to provide baseline data to evaluate a proposed solar dryer method of fish processing. Two groups of female fish processors of thirty (30) each processed fish using the two methods for ninety (90) days. The results of the experiments were generated through an end line survey. The following results were achieved during the project: (1) Students from MOUAU-LISA were trained to be collaborative statisticians who could move from theory to practice; interfacing with local actors to proffer solutions to developmental problems. (2) Female fish farmers were also trained on the use solar dryer method of processing fish. (3) a low cost environmentally friendly fish processing method (solar dryer method of fish processing) was recommended as an alternative to the traditional method of fish processing (smoking fish with firewood in open half drum) to address post-harvest loss of fish.

Project 3 was carried out by Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti Laboratory for interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (ABUAD-LISA) in collaboration with Youth Empowerment in Agri-business and Sustainable Agriculture, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (YEASA-ABUAD) using student trainees from ABUAD-LISA. The study investigated wealth creation and poverty alleviation through youth participation in agriculture and agribusiness in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The following results were achieved during the project (1) Students from ABUAD-LISA were trained to be collaborative statisticians who could move from theory to practice; interfacing with local actors to proffer solutions to developmental problems. (2) Identified farm practices that significantly contributed to wealth creation and poverty alleviation among the youths in Ekiti State. (3) Provided policy brief for YEASA-ABUAD.

In each section, our experiences in statistical collaboration with local actors especially in developing countries will be showcased.