FG Targets Food Security With New System to Reduce N3.5trn Losses

By Sesi Noah  ABUJA — The Federal Government has announced fresh plans to address post-harvest losses in the country, which are currently pu...

By Sesi Noah 

ABUJA — The Federal Government has announced fresh plans to address post-harvest losses in the country, which are currently put at over N3.5 trillion annually.

To tackle the problem, government has unveiled the Nigeria Post-harvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), aimed at boosting food production, storage, and preservation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this known at the Nigeria Legacy Programme, organized by the Africa Food Systems Forum in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in Dakar, Senegal.

Kyari explained that NiPHaST was launched to create a resilient and inclusive post-harvest handling and storage system that would cut down losses, raise farmer incomes, and strengthen food sovereignty.

According to him, the initiative will help stabilise food prices, make food more available and affordable, and improve storage capacity nationwide. The programme will focus on household storage solutions, community warehouses, cold rooms, and national silos managed through public–private partnerships.

He noted that NiPHaST would also drive major investments in the storage value chain, covering processing, preservation, packaging, and marketing. Climate-smart technologies such as metal silos and cold storage facilities are also part of the plan.

The minister added that the programme would unlock private sector funding, build confidence in agribusiness, and expand storage infrastructure. Beyond this, it is expected to improve agricultural exports, nutrition, and household incomes while creating jobs and reducing reliance on food imports.

Kyari further revealed that smallholder farmers bear the brunt of the annual N3.5 trillion loss, stressing the need for stronger international collaboration to protect farmer livelihoods, restore agribusiness confidence, and position Nigeria as a key food supplier in West Africa.

Photo credit: Vanguard News.