The federal government has launched the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), an initiative aimed at reducing food losses, boosting farmer incomes and strengthening national food security.
The programme, introduced in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks to build a resilient and efficient postharvest handling and storage system that will cut waste, improve nutrition and drive economic growth.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari announced the initiative at the Nigeria Legacy Programme, hosted by the Africa Food Systems Forum in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in Dakar, Senegal.
According to Kyari, NiPHaST was designed to stabilise food prices, expand access to staple crops, and enhance national food sovereignty.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s head, information department, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the minister explained that the programme would prioritise household storage technologies, community warehouses, cold rooms and national silos operated through public–private partnerships.
“The initiative will open new investment opportunities in the storage value chain through improved processing, preservation, packaging, marketing, and climate-smart infrastructure such as metal silos and cold rooms,” Kyari said.
He added that the programme would attract private sector participation, expand storage facilities, strengthen market confidence and improve Nigeria’s export potential.
It is also expected to generate new jobs, raise farmer incomes, improve nutrition, and reduce reliance on food imports.
The minister noted that Nigeria loses an estimated N3.5 trillion annually to postharvest inefficiencies, a burden that falls heavily on smallholder farmers.
“This is not just produce going to waste. It is opportunity lost and livelihoods destroyed,” he said.
Kyari stressed the need for stronger international collaboration to transform postharvest systems, safeguard farmer livelihoods, and restore confidence in agribusiness.
He said such reforms would also position Nigeria as a leading food supplier in West Africa.
