Federal Ministry of Agriculture Partners With AGRA to Scale Post-Harvest Technologies and Reduce Nigeria Agricultural Losses Nationwide

In a bold move to cut down Nigeria’s staggering annual agricultural losses of ₦3.5 trillion, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has teamed up with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The partnership aims to scale priority post-harvest technologies across the country, targeting the gaps that have long plagued farmers after harvest season.

The collaboration was spotlighted at a recent validation workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed the Market and Business Case Analysis for Priority Post-Harvest Technologies under the Nigeria Post-Harvest Legacy Programme (NiPHAST).

Officials stressed that the initiative is about more than food preservation—it’s about turning post-harvest losses into economic opportunities.

---

Shifting Focus From Production to Post-Harvest Management

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, noted that Nigeria has traditionally concentrated on boosting crop production while overlooking the mid-stream value chain.

“For too long, our efforts have focused primarily on production, leaving a vacuum in the post-harvest value chain that erodes farmer incomes and threatens our national food security,” Kyari said.

The minister highlighted the NiPHAST business case as a blueprint for a demand-led, technology-driven approach.

The plan could mobilise a $2.8 billion portfolio, potentially saving vast quantities of food, creating thousands of jobs for women and youth, stabilising prices, and strengthening the country’s agricultural resilience.

---

Private Sector and Innovation Key to Scaling Technologies

Representing AGRA, Mr. Theophilus Raymond emphasized the critical role of private investors and innovative financing in rolling out post-harvest solutions.

“The business case is clear: post-harvest technology in Nigeria is a bankable frontier,” he said.

The plan includes practical solutions like hermetic bags for perishables, solar-powered cold rooms, smart metal silos, and the Warehouse Receipt System for grains.

These technologies are designed to reach farmers even in remote areas, boosting incomes and providing inclusive pathways for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive.

---

Boosting Productivity and Income Through Better Storage

Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer Nigeria, added that improving post-harvest management is crucial for enhancing productivity and market access.

“Proper storage, aggregation, and market linkages will not only secure farmer incomes but also strengthen national food security,” he said.

The initiative mapped 72 storage facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and identified nine high-impact investment nodes, demonstrating strong returns for private investors.

Projections show internal rates of return exceeding 40%, with payback periods as short as two years.

---

Empowering MSMEs, Women, and Youth in Agriculture

The roadmap also focuses on professionalising agricultural storage services.

MSMEs and cooperatives can offer fee-based drying and storage services at market hubs, supported by incubation programs.

Stakeholders recommended fiscal incentives such as import duty waivers, tax relief on equipment, and support for women-led cooperatives.

Digital monitoring tools and youth-driven platforms are part of the plan, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and inclusion across the agricultural value chain.

---

Towards an Investment-Ready Agricultural Ecosystem

Officials believe this partnership will transform Nigeria’s post-harvest segment into an investment-ready ecosystem, backed by a national network of laboratories and aggregation warehouses.

The goal is to improve food safety, stabilise market prices, and strengthen the resilience of the country’s agricultural sector, particularly in rural communities where 40% of the workforce depends on farming.

---

What’s Next?

The next phase will see NiPHAST technologies deployed at scale, with private investors and cooperatives taking the lead on implementation.

Training programs for women and youth will roll out alongside digital monitoring systems, while government incentives aim to attract further investment.

If successful, Nigeria could become a model for post-harvest efficiency in Africa, potentially reducing losses dramatically and generating thousands of sustainable jobs.

---

Summary

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with AGRA, has launched a strategy to modernise Nigeria’s post-harvest agricultural sector and curb annual losses of ₦3.5 trillion.

By scaling storage technologies, supporting MSMEs, and empowering women and youth, the initiative aims to boost food security, stabilise prices, and create investment opportunities.

High-impact interventions like solar cold rooms, hermetic bags, and warehouse systems promise strong financial returns and a more resilient agricultural ecosystem nationwide.