The Nigerian government has introduced a major initiative aimed at improving the way farm produce is stored and managed after harvest. The programme, called the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), is designed to reduce food spoilage and waste while boosting food security, farmers’ incomes, and the overall economy.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the project was announced by Minister Abubakar Kyari during the Nigeria Legacy Programme at the Africa Food Systems Forum held in Dakar, Senegal. Kyari explained that the government’s focus is on creating a reliable, efficient, and modern post-harvest handling system that will help farmers save more of their produce and prevent losses that have long affected the agricultural sector.
The programme supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims to fight poverty, ensure sustainable food production, and grow the economy. Under this initiative, attention will be given to introducing household-level storage solutions, community warehouses, modern cold rooms, and large-scale national silos that will be managed in partnership with private investors.
Kyari emphasized that these measures will encourage investment in the storage and processing value chain. The focus will include food preservation, packaging, climate-smart metal silos, and cold storage facilities. By strengthening these areas, the government hopes to increase private sector participation, build confidence in the market, and expand Nigeria’s agricultural infrastructure.
The minister also noted that improving postharvest systems would have a direct impact on food exports, job creation, household income, and the reduction of food imports. By modernizing the system, farmers will have better opportunities to sell their products, while consumers will benefit from safer and higher-quality food.
Kyari highlighted the scale of the problem by revealing that Nigeria loses an estimated ₦3.5 trillion every year because of poor handling and storage after harvest. These losses, he said, hurt smallholder farmers the most, destroying livelihoods and limiting the growth of agribusiness.
He stressed that these losses are not just about wasted produce, but also about lost opportunities for families and communities. Transforming the system, Kyari added, will help secure farmers’ futures, restore confidence in agribusiness, and position Nigeria as a strong food supplier within West Africa.
The announcement comes as the federal government works with international partners and organizations to promote public-private partnerships in agriculture. The goal is to create a system that supports sustainable growth and ensures that Nigeria’s agricultural sector becomes more competitive both locally and globally.
Experts believe that with proper implementation, the NiPHaST programme will reduce postharvest losses, attract investment into the storage and processing industries, and help Nigeria move closer to self-sufficiency in food production.
In recent years, the government and other stakeholders have emphasized the need for stronger policies to tackle postharvest challenges. Initiatives like this are seen as a vital step toward ending food waste and improving the lives of millions of Nigerians who depend on farming for their livelihood.
