Nigeria Tackles Post-Harvest Losses With Cold Chain Technology, Public-Private Collaboration

News in Brief: - Nigeria's agriculture ministry and private sector are teaming up to fight food waste with cold chain technology, aiming to improve food security and nutrition in the country. - The collaboration extends beyond cold chain, with a focus on food fortification and public-private partnerships to achieve a more resilient food system. Nigeria's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is partnering with the organised private sector to address significant post-harvest losses in the country. Cold chain technology deployment is a central focus of this collaboration. Minister Kyari highlighted the alarming statistic that Nigeria loses up to 40% of its agricultural produce annually due to inadequate storage and transportation. This not only represents substantial economic loss for farmers but also contributes to food insecurity and malnutrition. The Minister observed the critical role of cold chain infrastructure, including refrigeration, transportation, and storage facilities, in preserving food quality and nutrition from farm to table. He stressed the government's commitment to fostering public-private partnerships to strengthen Nigeria's cold chain network. While cold chain technology is crucial, Kyari acknowledged the need for broader solutions. He underscored the importance of promoting dietary diversity, improving access to nutritious food, and addressing the root causes of malnutrition. Food fortification, an approach to enriching staple foods with essential nutrients, was identified as a key strategy. He mentioned that there were several challenges in achieving a robust cold chain ecosystem in Nigeria and called for redoubling efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps, leverage public-private partnerships, and adopt innovative technologies like IoT monitoring and renewable energy solutions to optimise cold chain operations. Kyari's remark came during the 6th West African Cold Chain Summit and Exhibition. The event serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and showcasing solutions for the region's market. It signifies a collective effort towards building a more resilient and inclusive cold chain system in the region.