Due to Nigeria's inconsistent power supply, there is growing advocacy within the agricultural sector for the adoption of solar-powered cold storage systems to reduce post-harvest losses. Stakeholders point out that Nigeria experiences post-harvest losses amounting to around 50% of its annual farm produce, with an estimated value exceeding ₦3.5 trillion, equivalent to over US$2.3 billion.
Ayomide Olugbade, an agritech solutions expert, stressed the importance of adopting solar-powered cold storage systems in a recent media interview. He suggested such systems could cut post-harvest losses by half and contribute significantly to national food security. "Nigeria must increase food production by approximately 75 to 100 per cent," Olugbade said, "and to achieve the needed food security rate in the country, we must cut more than 50 per cent of our post-harvest losses."
He further explained the need to double farmers' productivity through agritech and irrigation, expand infrastructure for storage, logistics, and food processing, and invest in climate-resilient agriculture and research and development.
Decentralized solar-powered cold storage could help reduce spoilage and benefit farmers, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sectors. Nigeria produces around 13.9 million tons of fruits and vegetables annually, with approximately half lost to spoilage. Post-harvest losses are a major contributor to food insecurity in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting smallholder farmers who often lack access to modern preservation technology. These losses also carry broader socio-economic implications, hampering national development.
Olugbade, who is also the co-founder and chief technology officer of Rendcore Technology Limited, noted, "Post-harvest losses in Nigeria have significant socio-economic implications that undermine national development."
Solar-powered cold storage is viewed as an innovative solution to food spoilage challenges within Nigeria's agricultural value chain. Extending the reach of this technology into rural areas can be supported by empowering youth through funding, training, and incubation programs.
"The adoption of solar cold storage not only improves food security but also strengthens rural economies by enhancing agricultural profitability and reducing waste," Olugbade added.
To effectively scale the use of solar cold storage, stakeholders stress the importance of aligning financing models with community ownership, alongside institutional support and youth-led innovation.
Source: Business Day
