Nigeria Loses $10 Billion Annually to Post-Harvest Waste, Agritech CEO Warns
Nigeria is losing an estimated $9–10 billion each year due to post-harvest waste, a staggering loss that threatens food security, farmers’ incomes, and national economic growth. The warning comes from Segun Alabi, CEO of Davidorlah Nigeria Limited, a leading agritech firm specializing in large-scale pineapple farming and fruit concentrate production across West Africa.
Alabi, whose company operates Davidorlah Farms—the largest pineapple estate in the sub-region—explained that the losses stem from “suboptimal harvesting practices, inadequate storage, poor transportation systems, and limited processing capacities.” He revealed that 30 to 50 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural output spoils annually before reaching the market, a figure he says could transform the agricultural sector if properly managed.
The CEO called for urgent investments in modern storage systems, cold-chain infrastructure, silos, and decentralized processing hubs to extend the shelf life of perishable crops. He also emphasized the need for farmer training, improved rural roads, affordable preservation technologies such as solar dryers, and supportive government policies to tackle the crisis.
Reducing post-harvest waste, according to Alabi, would strengthen the economy by increasing marketable produce, expanding export opportunities, and boosting food security. “When farmers retain more value from what they plant, the entire value chain grows,” he said, highlighting the potential for higher productivity, improved rural livelihoods, and a more resilient agricultural sector.
Beyond economic gains, Alabi noted environmental and entrepreneurial opportunities, including composting, organic fertilizers, animal feed, bioenergy, and bioplastics. He warned that without a national policy shift, Nigeria risks continuing to lose billions annually, calling on the government to lead investments and create an enabling environment for innovation to secure the future of the country’s agriculture.
source: vanguard