Nigeria is experiencing substantial post-harvest losses in its agricultural sector, particularly in the rice, yam, and fruit and vegetable value chains, according to an investigation by Premium Times.
These losses, estimated to be between 20 to 40 percent at harvest and market stages, not only contribute to food insecurity but also have significant environmental implications, including the emission of approximately 0.65 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere.
Rice Post-Harvest Challenges
In Ebonyi State, one of Nigeria’s largest rice-producing regions, poor infrastructure and limited market access are major contributors to post-harvest losses. Victoria Nwachukwu, a 53-year-old farmer from Onicha Local Government Area, shared her struggles with transportation constraints. Due to poor road conditions, a typically 45-minute drive to Abakaliki, the state capital, now takes two hours, leading to the spoilage of 18 units of 100 kg of rice worth N1.7 million earlier this year. This has forced her to scale back her cultivation efforts.
Another farmer, Victoria Chinyere, from Oshiri in the same local government area, noted that the lack of storage facilities forces her to rely on chemical preservatives, raising health concerns. Grains preserved with heavy chemicals often fall short of international safety standards, leading to their rejection at export points.
Yam Post-Harvest Issues
Nigeria is the world’s largest yam producer, accounting for 69.2 percent of global production, with 61.2 million metric tonnes harvested in 2022. However, post-harvest losses in yams are also significant, ranging from 20 to 30 percent, depending on the variety. At Zaki Biam Market in Benue State, the world’s largest yam market, approximately 40 percent of yams are lost post-harvest due to exposure to heat and moisture, a lack of storage facilities, and excessive fertiliser use.
Farmers like Japheth Ishenge, secretary of the Association of Yam Shade Owners and Yam Sellers at Zaki Biam Market, have called for the establishment of a yam flour industry to reduce wastage and add value to the produce.
Although the market received some relief in 2020 with the construction of 660 stalls and a 200,000-yam storage facility by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, these measures are insufficient to meet the needs of all farmers.
Fruit and Vegetable Losses
The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) estimates that the country loses 50 percent of its fruits and vegetables post-harvest. This is largely due to inadequate storage, transportation, and processing facilities. Farmers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and Osun State, among other areas, report significant losses because of the absence of off-takers and poor infrastructure. For example, many mangoes harvested in Ogbomoso are left to rot due to a lack of buyers and proper storage.
Traders at markets like Odo-Ori in Iwo and Oje in Ibadan also lament the lack of modern storage facilities and electricity, which exacerbates fruit and vegetable spoilage. Saheed Babalola, a fruit trader at Oje Market, emphasised the need for better storage solutions to reduce these losses.
Fish Preservation Efforts
In the fisheries sector, fishermen in Akwa Ibom State have adopted self-help methods to mitigate post-harvest losses. By preserving their catch with ice blocks, they can significantly extend the freshness of their products. Vivian Egboro, a seafood dealer, noted that this method has reduced spoilage, especially when transporting fish to distant markets like Lagos or the northern regions. However, challenges such as bad roads still contribute to occasional losses.
Experts and stakeholders have called for innovative solutions and government support to address post-harvest losses. The World Resource Institute emphasised the need for co-designed innovations with local farmers and entrepreneurs, alongside government investments, tax incentives, and supportive policies. For instance, the adoption of hermetic bags for grain storage and cold room facilities for perishables has shown promise but remains underutilised in Africa.
