A Food System and Nutrition Specialist at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Ibrahim Ishaka, revealed that Nigeria loses approximately 50% of its agricultural produce throughout the food supply chain. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during an FAO-organised training in Yola, Ishaka outlined the challenges contributing to these losses, which include technological limitations, inefficient harvesting methods, pest infestations, and limited access to modern farming tools.
He emphasized that poor storage facilities, inadequate transportation infrastructure, improper handling, and inefficient food processing methods further worsen post-harvest losses, particularly for perishable goods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, unhealthy consumption habits and improper packaging contribute to food waste in the country.
Ishaka highlighted several FAO initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges, including promoting sustainable agricultural practices, investing in post-harvest infrastructure, and community training programs. He also mentioned the establishment of FAO-supported centers producing and distributing locally nutritious foods, such as ‘tom brown,’ to combat malnutrition in the northeast region of Nigeria.
These efforts are part of the broader “Emergency Agriculture-Based Livelihoods Sustenance for Improved Food Security” program, which focuses on improving food security in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, with support from USAID.