Nigeria loses approximately 50 per cent of its agricultural products along the food supply chain, according to Ibrahim Ishaka, a Food System and Nutrition Specialist with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
Ishaka revealed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an FAO-organised training in Yola on Saturday. He said that food waste presents a significant challenge to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with wide-ranging impacts on food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
“Some of these challenges include technological barriers, inefficient harvesting techniques, pest infestations, and lack of access to modern farming tools, all of which contribute to losses during harvest, largely influenced by consumer behavior,” Ishaka stated.
He further highlighted other factors contributing to post-harvest losses, such as inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and insufficient transportation infrastructure. These issues particularly affect perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.
“These factors result in significant losses, especially for perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables,” he noted. Mr. Ishaka added that inefficient food processing methods, improper packaging, inadequate storage, and unhealthy consumption habits worsen the food waste situation.
To combat these challenges, Mr. Ishaka pointed to several FAO initiatives aimed at promoting nutritious and sustainable food practices within local communities. “These initiatives include investing in post-harvest infrastructure, building community capacity, training, and empowerment programmes, among others,” he explained.
He stressed the importance of education in addressing these issues: “I firmly believe that the key to empowering people, particularly in the north-east region, lies in giving them the power to make informed decisions and the power to educate others.”
Ishaka also mentioned the establishment of FAO-supported centres that produce and distribute locally nutritious foods, such as ‘tom brown,’ as part of efforts to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in the region. “These centres are run by local communities, promoting community-led initiatives to improve food security,” he added.
He expressed optimism that the FAO training program would have a lasting impact on participants and their communities by enhancing overall well-being and food security through the adoption of best nutrition practices.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FAO’s training is part of the “Emergency Agriculture-Based Livelihoods Sustenance for Improved Food Security” programme, which targets the states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, with support from USAID.