Fed Govt tackles N3.5 trillion post-harvest losses

The federal government has unveiled the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST) to tackle annual post-harvest losses estimated at N3.5 trillion.

The initiative was announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, during the Nigeria Legacy Programme at the Africa Food Systems Forum, held in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in Dakar, Senegal.

Kyari, in a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Information, Ikemefuna Ezeaja, said NiPHaST was designed to build a resilient, efficient, and inclusive post-harvest handling and storage system that reduces food waste, boosts farmer incomes, and strengthens national food sovereignty.

The programme, he said will focus on household storage technologies, community warehouses, cold rooms, and strategic national silos managed through public–private partnerships. 

He said it will also drive investments across the storage value chain, including processing, preservation, packaging, and climate-smart infrastructure such as metal silos and cold storage facilities.According to the minister, NiPHaST will help stabilise food prices, enhance availability and affordability of staples, improve storage capacity, and promote food import substitution.

It is also expected to improve agricultural exports, nutrition, job creation, and overall farmer livelihoods.

Kyari further stressed the importance of international collaboration in transforming Nigeria’s post-harvest systems, saying the program would “secure farmer livelihoods, revive agribusiness confidence, and position Nigeria as a leading food supplier in West Africa.”

Dignitaries at the event included Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi; Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma; Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Abu Ibrahim; and President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim.

Fed Govt tackles N3.5 trillion post-harvest losses - The Nation Newspaper