Chief Executor Officer of Davidorlah Farms, Segun Alabi, said on Monday that Nigeria loses an approximately 10 billion dollars annually post harvest waste in fruits, vegetables, grains and other personable products.
Addressing a news conference at the National Assembly, Alabi said these losses undermine farmers’ incomes, reduce food availability, and impede national economic growth, adding that
estimates indicate that Nigeria loses between 30% and 50% of its agricultural produce annually to waste, translating to billions of dollars lost each year.
He said, “Each year, significant portions of crops are lost due to suboptimal harvesting, inadequate storage, poor transportation, and limited processing capacity”.
He said to address the challenge of agricultural waste, there is the need to investment in modern storage and processing facilities through the establishment of cold chains, silos, and local processing units which has the capacity to extend the shelf life of perishable products and enables value addition.
He also called for enhanced transportation infrastructure and the improvement of rural roads and logistics systems ensures that produce reaches markets quickly and in good condition, while also providing farmers with knowledge on best harvesting practices, post-harvest handling, and waste minimization techniques helps reduce losses at the source.
He also spoke of the deployment of affordable preservation methods, such as solar dryers and mobile processing units, can help smallholder farmers minimize spoilage and the need for government policies that promote private sector investment in agro-processing and provide incentives for waste reduction initiatives are essential.
Alabi also said there was the need to reducing agricultural waste which he said will directly boosts Nigeria’s economy by increasing the
availability of marketable produce, enhancing export potential, and improving food security.
He said, “With less waste, farmers and agribusinesses retain more value from their harvests, contributing to higher GDP and creating a more resilient agricultural sector. Savings from reduced losses can be reinvested, stimulating growth across the value chain.
“Implementation of waste reduction strategies opens up numerous employment opportunities. New jobs arise in logistics, storage facility management, food processing, preservation technology manufacturing, and training services. As value-addition industries grow, they offer employment for youth and women, supporting inclusive economic development and reducing rural poverty.
“Minimizing agricultural waste translates to more efficient use of land, water, and energy resources. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with decomposing organic waste and limits environmental degradation. Sustainable waste management practices, such as composting and recycling, can further enhance soil fertility and ecosystem health.
“Addressing agricultural waste unlocks new streams of wealth creation. By converting waste into value-added products — such as animal feed, bioenergy, bioplastics, and organic fertilizers — entrepreneurs can tap into emerging markets. These ventures foster innovation, diversify income sources, and contribute to national wealth”.
He said the financial losses Nigeria incurs from agricultural waste are substantial, but they also represent an immense opportunity for transformation. By adopting proven solutions and fostering a culture of waste reduction, Nigeria can strengthen its economy, create jobs, protect the environment, and generate new wealth.
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