The Nigerian government has announced a major initiative aimed at cutting post-harvest losses, which currently cost the country over N3.5 trillion annually. The new effort, called the Nigeria Post-Harvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), is designed to improve food storage, handling, and preservation across the nation.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, unveiled the programme at the Nigeria Legacy Programme during the Africa Food Systems Forum in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in Dakar, Senegal. According to the minister, NiPHaST is essential for building a resilient and efficient post-harvest system that protects farmers’ livelihoods and enhances food security.
“Post-harvest losses are not just wasted produce—they represent lost opportunities and destroyed livelihoods,” Kyari said. The programme aims to stabilize food prices, improve accessibility and affordability, and strengthen national food sovereignty.
NiPHaST will focus on several critical areas, including household storage solutions, community warehouses, cold storage facilities, and national silos managed through public-private partnerships. By modernizing storage and distribution, the government hopes to encourage private investment in food preservation and processing.
Experts believe that improved post-harvest management could also boost agricultural exports, enhance nutrition, and create new jobs in the food storage and processing sector. The initiative is expected to increase farmers’ income, reduce reliance on food imports, and strengthen confidence in the local agricultural market.
Kyari emphasized the importance of international collaboration, noting that transforming post-harvest systems will not only secure farmers’ livelihoods but also position Nigeria as a leading food supplier in West Africa. The programme is expected to leverage climate-smart solutions, modern silos, and advanced cold rooms to make storage systems more efficient and sustainable.
For smallholder farmers, who are often the most affected by post-harvest losses, NiPHaST offers a lifeline. By enhancing storage infrastructure and providing access to modern technology, the initiative aims to turn lost produce into profitable opportunities, strengthening both local economies and the national food supply chain.
Analysts point out that addressing post-harvest inefficiencies is a crucial step for Nigeria to achieve food security and economic growth. As the government rolls out NiPHaST, its success will depend on robust partnerships between the public and private sectors, continuous monitoring, and active engagement with farmers at every level.
In essence, NiPHaST represents more than a technical programme—it is a strategic move to protect livelihoods, increase investment in the agriculture sector, and ensure that Nigeria can sustainably feed its growing population.
