By Simpson Global Media News Desk
Nigeria’s efforts to improve food security are facing renewed calls for greater investment in modern storage, cold-chain infrastructure and more efficient agricultural supply chains, as experts warn that producing more food will not be enough if significant quantities are lost before reaching consumers.
The World Agriculture Forum (WAF), Nigeria, has urged government agencies, financial institutions and private investors to prioritise agricultural technology, modern storage systems and stronger links between farmers, processors, distributors and markets.
WAF Nigeria Country Director Alexander Isong made the call in a statement issued in Lagos to mark World Food Day 2026, observed on October 16. He said Nigeria had the agricultural land, workforce and market potential to become a major player in African agriculture, but achieving that ambition would require investment across the entire food value chain—not just at the farm-production stage. (Lagos Metropolitan, reporting the News Agency of Nigeria; AgroNigeria)
The call comes as the Federal Government says it is pursuing measures to reduce post-harvest losses from an estimated 40 per cent to below 20 per cent. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, outlined the target in his World Food Day statement, alongside plans for expanded dry-season farming, irrigation, cold-chain facilities, agro-industrial processing zones and improved access to agricultural finance. (Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation; Per Second News)
The challenge is particularly important for a country where food affordability remains a major concern for households. Even when farmers produce substantial quantities of crops, inadequate storage, poor transport links, limited processing capacity and weak market coordination can reduce the volume that reaches consumers in good condition.
The latest calls therefore place greater emphasis on preserving food after harvest, improving its movement through the supply chain and ensuring farmers can sell their produce without being forced into distress sales.
Food production is only one part of food security
For many years, public discussion about agricultural development has concentrated on increasing yields, distributing fertiliser and seeds, expanding cultivated land and providing farmers with equipment.
These interventions remain important. Farmers need quality inputs, suitable land, water, technical knowledge and access to financing if they are to produce more food consistently.
However, higher output does not automatically translate into greater food availability. A crop can be successfully cultivated and harvested but subsequently deteriorate because it cannot be dried, stored, processed or transported appropriately.
Tomatoes may soften and spoil when exposed to excessive heat. Vegetables can lose quality without suitable handling and refrigeration. Grains may be damaged by moisture, insects or mould if they are stored under unsuitable conditions. Fruits can suffer bruising and decay during transportation when they are packed poorly or moved through rough handling.
These losses can reduce the amount available for sale, lower the price farmers receive for damaged produce and increase the cost of supplying consumers with food that meets acceptable quality standards.
WAF has argued that Nigeria needs to move beyond a production-centred approach towards a more integrated food system that links farms to storage, processing, distribution and markets. Its recommendations include investment in agricultural technology, cold rooms, pre-cooling systems and refrigerated transport. (Lagos Metropolitan)
The underlying principle is straightforward: food security depends not only on how much a country grows, but also on how effectively it preserves, distributes and makes that food affordable and accessible.
The Federal Government sets a new loss-reduction target
The Federal Government has identified post-harvest losses as one of the issues it wants to address through a broader agricultural reform programme.
In his World Food Day statement, Abdullahi said the government was targeting a reduction in post-harvest losses from 40 per cent to below 20 per cent. The proposed measures include investment in storage and cold-chain facilities, Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, irrigation and dry-season farming, alongside interventions designed to improve farmers’ access to finance. (Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation)
The target represents an ambition to cut the stated loss rate by more than half. However, achieving it will require a clear baseline, reliable measurement and sustained implementation across different crops and regions.
Post-harvest losses do not occur in the same way across every agricultural product. Grains may require effective drying, pest control and moisture management, while perishable vegetables, fruits, fish and meat often need rapid handling, cooling or processing.
A national target will therefore need to be translated into practical measures suited to each commodity and location. It will also be important to distinguish between food that is physically lost, produce that deteriorates in quality and products that become commercially unsellable.
Without consistent definitions and measurements, it may be difficult to determine whether reported improvements reflect genuine reductions in losses or differences in how losses are calculated.
The government has announced the target, but the public information cited for this report does not establish that the loss rate has already fallen below 20 per cent. Progress will need to be assessed against subsequent evidence.
Why storage matters to farmers and consumers
Storage allows agricultural produce to be held safely until it can be sold, processed or transported to its destination.
For farmers harvesting crops over a short period, the ability to store produce can reduce the pressure to sell everything immediately. This can be particularly valuable when markets are temporarily oversupplied or transport arrangements are delayed.
Without adequate storage, farmers may have little choice but to sell quickly, even when buyers are offering low prices. Perishable crops create an especially urgent problem because delays can quickly reduce their quality and market value.
Appropriate storage can help farmers preserve more of their harvest and gain time to negotiate with buyers. For grains, this may involve properly dried produce, moisture control, pest management and suitable storage structures. For fresh produce, it may require careful sorting, appropriate packaging, shade and, for some products, temperature-controlled facilities.
Storage can also help traders and processors maintain a more consistent supply. Businesses that can hold raw materials safely are better positioned to plan production, fulfil orders and reduce disruptions caused by seasonal shortages.
For consumers, the benefits may include a more reliable supply of food and fewer avoidable losses along the distribution chain. However, better storage alone does not guarantee lower retail prices. Transport costs, energy bills, market concentration, security, financing and other expenses can continue to influence what consumers pay.
The potential gains will depend on whether storage infrastructure is accessible, affordable and efficiently operated.
Cold-chain infrastructure could help preserve perishable food
One of WAF’s recommendations is greater investment in cold-chain systems.
A cold chain is a connected set of facilities and transport arrangements that maintains suitable temperatures for products that require controlled conditions. Depending on the commodity, this can include pre-cooling equipment, cold rooms, refrigerated vehicles and temperature monitoring during storage and transportation.
Such systems are particularly relevant to products that deteriorate rapidly under heat, including many vegetables, fruits, fish, dairy products and meat.
Pre-cooling can remove field heat from harvested produce before it is stored or transported. Cold rooms can then help maintain suitable conditions, while refrigerated vehicles can reduce exposure to damaging temperatures during longer journeys.
But cold-chain investment must be matched to the products being handled. Different crops have different temperature and humidity requirements, and poorly managed refrigeration can damage some produce rather than preserve it.
Energy supply is another major consideration. Cold rooms and refrigerated transport require dependable power, maintenance and trained operators. In areas where electricity is unreliable or expensive, the operating cost can make facilities unaffordable for small-scale producers.
Solar-assisted cooling, shared storage facilities and cooperative ownership arrangements may offer options in some locations, but each model needs to be assessed for cost, technical reliability and local demand.
WAF’s recommendation for cold rooms and refrigerated transport is therefore part of a broader infrastructure challenge. Building the facilities is only the first step; ensuring that farmers can access and afford them is equally important. (Lagos Metropolitan)
Processing can turn surplus produce into products with longer shelf lives
Food processing is another way to reduce losses and improve the value of agricultural output.
Some crops are harvested in large quantities during particular periods, creating pressure on local markets. If supply exceeds the immediate demand for fresh produce, prices can fall and farmers may struggle to sell everything before it deteriorates.
Processing can create alternative uses for part of that surplus. Tomatoes, for example, can be processed into paste or other products, while cassava can be converted into flour, starch and other marketable forms. Fruits may be dried, juiced or processed into products with different storage requirements.
Such activities can help connect farmers to a wider range of buyers and create opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas.
However, processing facilities need dependable raw-material supplies, suitable equipment, energy, water, quality-control systems, packaging and access to markets. A factory that is too far from farms may face high transport costs, while a facility without enough working capital may struggle to purchase produce during the harvest period.
The commercial viability of processing also depends on consumer demand and the cost of competing products. Investments should therefore be supported by credible market assessments rather than assumptions that every new processing plant will operate profitably.
The Federal Government’s emphasis on Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones reflects its broader intention to strengthen links between agricultural production and industrial activity. The value of those investments will depend on their ability to provide functioning services and attract businesses that can buy, process and sell agricultural products sustainably. (Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation)
Transport and market access remain critical
Even well-stored produce can be lost or become too expensive to sell if transportation is slow, unreliable or costly.
Rural roads connect farms to collection points, markets, processing facilities and urban consumers. Where roads are in poor condition, vehicles may take longer to reach farms, transport costs can rise and fragile produce may sustain additional damage during journeys.
Delays can be especially damaging for products that need to reach buyers quickly. A farmer who cannot move produce to market in time may face falling prices or be forced to discard part of the harvest.
The problem is not limited to roads. Farmers also need reliable information about where demand exists, what buyers require and what prices are being offered. Better market coordination can help producers plan harvesting, organise transportation and reduce unnecessary movement of goods.
Structured markets, transparent trading arrangements, quality standards and stronger links between farmers and bulk buyers could improve the movement of agricultural produce. WAF has called for more efficient food value chains that connect farmers with processors, retailers, institutional buyers and export markets. (AgroNigeria; Lagos Metropolitan)
Improving these links would also require attention to market rules, inspection procedures and the handling of food at collection centres. Infrastructure and information need to work together if the supply chain is to become more reliable.
Financing is a major question for agricultural investment
Modern storage facilities, processing equipment and refrigerated transport require capital. Smallholder farmers may find it difficult to finance such investments individually, especially when they have limited collateral, uncertain income or expensive borrowing options.
This creates a role for government, commercial lenders, development-finance institutions, cooperatives and private investors.
Possible approaches include shared storage centres, cooperative facilities, leasing arrangements, warehouse services and partnerships between producers and processors. These models can spread costs across multiple users instead of requiring every farmer to build and operate individual facilities.
However, financing structures must reflect the seasonal nature of agriculture. A storage facility may experience its highest demand during harvest periods, while revenues and cash flow can fluctuate throughout the year.
Investors also need reliable information about production volumes, demand, operating costs and the ability of farmers or traders to pay for services. Without viable business models, facilities may remain underused or become financially unsustainable after initial support ends.
WAF has urged stakeholders to mobilise private-sector investment in viable agricultural projects and make use of existing financing mechanisms. The forum’s position is that investment should cover the wider value chain, rather than concentrate only on farm production. (Lagos Metropolitan)
For government, the challenge is to encourage investment while ensuring that facilities serve the needs of farmers and do not become accessible only to larger commercial operators.
Smallholder farmers must not be left behind
Smallholder farmers are central to Nigeria’s food system, but they often face constraints that prevent them from benefiting fully from new infrastructure.
A storage facility may be too far away for a farmer to transport a small quantity of produce economically. Fees may also be unaffordable if the farmer has limited cash immediately after harvest.
Other barriers include insufficient information about available services, a lack of appropriate packaging and grading facilities, and difficulty coordinating with other producers to deliver enough volume for commercial buyers.
To make new infrastructure useful to smallholders, planners should consider where farmers live, what they grow, when they harvest and how much produce they can realistically bring to a facility.
Farmer cooperatives and producer groups can help aggregate produce, negotiate with buyers and share transport costs. Extension services can provide guidance on harvesting, sorting, drying, packaging and storage practices that reduce damage.
Women farmers and young agricultural entrepreneurs also need fair access to facilities, finance and technical support. If public investment is intended to improve food security, access should not be determined solely by the size of a farmer’s operation or their ability to make large upfront payments.
The effectiveness of the government’s loss-reduction target will depend partly on whether practical support reaches producers in smaller and more remote communities.
Climate pressures make better handling more urgent
Agricultural supply chains are also exposed to weather-related risks. Flooding, intense heat and irregular rainfall can affect harvest timing, damage infrastructure and complicate transportation.
When roads are flooded or storage facilities are damaged, produce may be stranded or exposed to conditions that accelerate deterioration. Heat can increase the difficulty of preserving perishable crops, particularly where refrigeration is limited.
Climate-resilient agricultural planning therefore needs to consider not only crop production but also the facilities and transport routes required to move food after harvest.
Suitable storage locations, reliable drainage, resilient buildings, alternative power arrangements and emergency logistics plans can help reduce disruptions. Farmers also need timely weather information so they can plan harvesting and handling activities around changing conditions.
The Federal Government has included climate-smart agriculture, irrigation and stronger agricultural value chains among its stated priorities for food security. Those measures will be most effective when production plans are connected to post-harvest infrastructure and market access. (Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation)
Food loss and food waste are related but different
Efforts to improve food security also require a clear distinction between food loss and food waste.
Post-harvest losses generally refer to reductions in the quantity or quality of food during harvesting, handling, storage, processing and distribution. Food waste often refers to food discarded at retail, food-service or household stages, although definitions vary across measurement systems.
The distinction matters because the causes and solutions are not identical.
A farmer may lose produce because it cannot be dried or transported safely. A retailer may discard food because it has deteriorated, while a household may throw away food because too much was purchased or prepared.
Reducing losses on farms requires better harvesting methods, storage, processing and logistics. Reducing waste at later stages can require improved inventory management, packaging, purchasing habits and systems for redistributing suitable surplus food.
A comprehensive national strategy should address both without confusing their measurement. It should also avoid assuming that all food reported as lost could automatically be recovered for human consumption. Some products may be unsafe, damaged beyond use or unsuitable for particular processing methods.
Reliable data can help identify where interventions would have the greatest effect and allow authorities to track improvements over time.
How progress should be measured
The Federal Government’s target to bring post-harvest losses below 20 per cent provides a clear ambition, but meaningful assessment will require more detail about how the target is measured.
Authorities could publish baseline estimates by commodity and region, explain the methods used to calculate losses and report progress at regular intervals. This would help farmers, businesses and the public understand which interventions are working.
Other useful indicators would include the number of operational storage facilities, the amount of produce handled, the reliability and cost of cold-chain services, the number of farmers using the facilities and the proportion of stored produce that reaches buyers in acceptable condition.
It would also be useful to assess whether farmers receive better prices, whether supply becomes more consistent and whether consumers benefit from improved availability. Such outcomes cannot be assumed simply because a facility has been built.
Independent evaluation and transparent reporting can help distinguish between announced projects, completed infrastructure and measurable improvements in food preservation.
The target should also be supported by adequate maintenance budgets and clear responsibility for operating facilities after construction. An abandoned or poorly maintained store will not deliver the intended reduction in losses.
What the call means for food prices
The push for better storage comes amid continuing concern about the cost of food in Nigeria. Reducing avoidable losses could improve the amount of food available for sale and reduce some costs associated with spoilage, damaged produce and repeated handling.
However, food prices are influenced by many factors, including farm input costs, transport, fuel, security, exchange rates, processing expenses, market demand and the availability of credit.
Better storage cannot, by itself, guarantee an immediate reduction in retail prices. In some cases, the initial cost of building and operating modern facilities could increase service charges until the infrastructure reaches sufficient scale and efficiency.
The benefits are more likely to emerge where facilities are well located, widely used and linked to competitive markets. If farmers can preserve produce, processors can obtain reliable supplies and traders can move goods efficiently, the entire chain may become less vulnerable to sudden disruptions.
Consumers will ultimately judge the effort by whether food becomes more consistently available, quality improves and prices become more manageable. These outcomes need to be measured rather than assumed.
The road ahead
The World Agriculture Forum’s appeal and the Federal Government’s stated target point to a shared challenge: Nigeria needs a food system that preserves more of what farmers produce and delivers it efficiently to the people who need it.
The next steps involve translating policy commitments into practical investments. That means identifying priority commodities and locations, financing facilities that can operate sustainably, improving rural transport, supporting processing businesses and ensuring smallholder farmers can access services at reasonable cost.
It also means tracking the results. The target of reducing post-harvest losses from 40 per cent to below 20 per cent should be accompanied by transparent reporting that shows whether losses are falling and which interventions are responsible for the change.
Nigeria’s agricultural potential is not measured by production alone. The country must also be able to preserve its harvest, connect farmers to markets and ensure that food reaches consumers in good condition.
The bottom line: More food production is important, but reducing the amount lost after harvest could also strengthen food availability and farmers’ earnings. WAF is calling for investment in modern storage, cold-chain facilities and efficient supply chains, while the Federal Government has set a target to cut post-harvest losses to below 20 per cent. The key test will be whether these commitments translate into accessible infrastructure and measurable results for farmers and consumers.
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