Lateef Sanni, a professor and Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Produce Research Institute (NSPRI), emphasizes that Nigeria urgently needs approximately 300 cold chain hubs, which are storage facilities, to significantly reduce post-harvest losses.
Mr. Sanni conveyed this message during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, located in the South-west region of Nigeria. He highlighted that the country experiences an alarming 40% post-harvest loss annually and stressed the necessity for concerted efforts to reverse this trend. Mr. Sanni emphasized the crucial role of investing in storage facilities and cold chain hubs nationwide.
He emphasized that the country should aim to establish no fewer than 300 cold chain hubs across its 774 local government areas to effectively address the issue.
He further explained that a minimum of 10 cold chain hubs per local government area, totaling 7740 hubs nationwide, was necessary to effectively combat post-harvest losses.
Currently, the existing number of cold chain hubs falls below the required amount, accounting for less than one percent of the needed quantity. These hubs offer affordable storage solutions, allowing farmers to preserve perishable produce like carrots for the next day with as little as N500.
While acknowledging the emergence of approximately 10 cold hubs across the country, such as the one located in Ekotutu, Mile 12 market, Lagos, Mr. Sanni highlighted their relatively recent establishment, spanning just five to seven years.
He stressed the urgency of scaling up cold chain infrastructure, emphasizing the need for at least 300 such hubs across Nigeria. These facilities are crucial in curbing post-harvest losses, particularly given the vast agricultural landscape of the nation. Mr. Sanni urged the private sector to seize the opportunity and invest in these cold chain hubs, emphasizing their potential to significantly mitigate post-harvest losses when properly implemented and supported.
“That is my primary motivation now; my focus lies in driving private sector initiatives aimed at reducing post-harvest losses from 40 percent in our agricultural produce to the lowest possible level,” he emphasized.
The executive director announced that NSPRI and its collaborators would host the inaugural ‘Post Harvest Connects’ conference from April 18 to 19 in Abuja, with the goal of tackling post-harvest losses head-on.
He underscored the importance of fostering collaboration and partnerships among research institutions to combat food insecurity in the country.
“We express gratitude to the President for prioritizing storage solutions, and we appreciate the support of our overseeing bodies such as the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, as well as the private sector, for their involvement in this crucial endeavor,” he concluded.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is a significant sponsor, along with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
He mentioned that the National Assembly, particularly the chairpersons of the agriculture and agricultural institutions committees, are deeply committed to addressing the issue of post-harvest losses.
“It is the responsibility of the Executive Director to carefully consider and engage with development partners. Upon discussion, they agreed to pilot the initiative and collaborate effectively,” he explained.
“We must meticulously outline our strategies and evaluate which programs can be expanded on a larger scale. When it comes to scaling up, we will engage with our ministers and government officials to facilitate connections with banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide increased financial support for the private sector.
“With their assistance, we can amplify these investments, ultimately alleviating the post-harvest challenges faced in our country,” he concluded. (NAN)
