Nigeria grappling with annual post-harvest loss of $10bn – FG

Nigeria is grappling with an annual loss of $10 billion due to post-harvest inefficiencies, according to Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

Speaking at the launch of the Green Legacy Rural Community Agriculture and Infrastructure Network (G.R.A.I.N) Pulse Centre in Kangire, Birnin-Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa, on Monday, Kyari highlighted the critical need to address these losses to bolster the nation’s economy.

Kyari attributed the substantial losses to inadequate storage facilities, underdeveloped infrastructure, limited processing capabilities, climate change impacts, flooding, soil degradation, and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

He emphasized that agriculture accounts for approximately 24% of Nigeria’s GDP, with smallholder farmers contributing nearly 70% of the country’s food supply.

“Equipping smallholder farmers with advanced tools, technology, and access to markets is key to unlocking the vast potential of our land and its people,” Kyari stated.

The minister underscored the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritizing agriculture as a cornerstone of national transformation.

He described the G.R.A.I.N Pulse Centre as a pivotal step toward this goal, noting that it will serve as an integrated hub for agriculture, infrastructure, and rural development.

The facility, equipped with modern technology, is designed to enhance export capabilities and will be replicated across other communities nationwide to strengthen Nigeria’s food systems and reduce post-harvest losses.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar also spoke at the event, praising the role of public-private partnerships in driving development.

“This microeconomy will deliver significant benefits to Nigeria by integrating modern facilities and cutting-edge technologies,” Tuggar remarked, commending President Tinubu and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi for their focus on food security.

Governor Namadi expressed pride in Jigawa hosting the nation’s first pulse centre, calling it a groundbreaking innovation for sustainable rural development.

He highlighted the centre’s solar-powered systems, digital connectivity, and comprehensive services spanning the agricultural value chain, which he believes will stimulate Kangire’s economy and showcase the transformative power of agriculture-led initiatives.

Namadi further affirmed his administration’s dedication to advancing agriculture to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and enhance livelihoods. Similarly, Mr. Muhammad Uba, Chairman of Birnin-Kudu Local Council, pledged support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting Jigawa’s efforts to modernize and digitalize agriculture under Governor Namadi’s leadership.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the G.R.A.I.N Pulse Centre’s inauguration in Kangire marks a significant milestone in the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.