A Nigerian agritech expert, Ayomide Olugbade, has called on the Federal Government to invest heavily in cold-chain infrastructure to reduce the huge post-harvest losses that continue to affect the agricultural sector. He said the high cost of solar-powered cold storage systems remains a major barrier for many smallholder farmers who make up most of Nigeria’s food producers.
Olugbade, who is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Rendcore Technology Ltd., said solar-powered cold storage is a key solution to the country’s rising food spoilage, especially in perishables like fruits and vegetables. He estimated that Nigeria records post-harvest losses of about 50 per cent annually, a figure he said translates to over $9 billion in lost value.
In a statement, Olugbade explained that the major causes of food spoilage in Nigeria include poor transportation, bad roads, lack of storage, inadequate modern farming tools, and absence of a well-functioning cold-chain system. He noted that without proper government support and investment in infrastructure, Nigeria will continue to experience food shortages and waste, especially in rural areas where many farmers cannot afford storage technology.
According to him, “Post-harvest losses in Nigeria are primarily due to inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation systems, limited access to modern technology, and the absence of a functional cold chain. These challenges are affecting smallholder farmers the most, and that’s where we need to focus if we want to make progress.”
He also said that Nigeria must start making serious plans for food security by 2050. He warned that food production must double by then, and this cannot happen if current post-harvest losses are not drastically reduced. “To achieve adequate food security by 2050, food production must increase by 100 per cent. But first, we must reduce post-harvest losses by at least 50 per cent,” he said.
Olugbade stated that cold-chain infrastructure, especially solar-powered cold storage units, could help reduce waste, increase income for farmers, and improve national food supply. However, the cost of deploying these systems is too high for ordinary farmers to afford without government support.
He said Nigeria produces an estimated 13.9 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables every year, but about half of this amount is wasted before it reaches consumers. “That means we are losing about $24.3 billion every year just from fruits and vegetables. That is too much loss for a country still struggling with food inflation and hunger,” he added.
Olugbade described post-harvest losses as a major cause of food insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that the losses are more pronounced among smallholder farmers who do not have access to preservation tools. He also listed poor harvesting methods, damage during transportation, and microbial spoilage as major reasons for food wastage.
He pointed out that solar-powered cold storage is reliable and climate-friendly, but very expensive. That is why he called on the Federal Government to make it a priority and provide the needed funds to scale the technology across the country. He added that without government intervention, small farmers will remain exposed to high levels of loss and waste.
Olugbade also urged the government to support young Nigerians in agritech by funding innovations that can produce local solutions. He said many Nigerian youths are already designing cold storage systems, but they lack the money, training, and support to reach rural communities.
“Empowering youth through funding, training, and incubation will expand the reach of these technologies, especially in underserved rural areas,” he said.
He advised the Federal Government to introduce financing models that will allow local communities to own and manage these cold storage facilities. According to him, ownership and strong governance frameworks will help ensure long-term use and maintenance of the facilities.
Many experts have also raised concerns about the lack of proper cold-chain systems in Nigeria, especially at a time when food prices are rising and many families are unable to afford basic food items. Reports by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute show that over 45 per cent of fresh food produced in Nigeria is lost due to lack of proper storage and preservation.
Olugbade’s statement has renewed calls for the government to invest more in agriculture beyond crop production, focusing on post-harvest handling, value addition, and technology. He said that with better planning, investment, and innovation, Nigeria can significantly reduce waste and increase food availability for all Nigerians.
