Nigeria loses $10b to post-harvest losses annually — Expert – The Guardian Nigeria News

Report on Post-Harvest Agricultural Losses in Nigeria and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent report indicates that Nigeria incurs annual economic losses estimated between $9 billion and $10 billion due to post-harvest wastage. This crisis severely undermines national progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth.

1.0 Scope of the Crisis and Impact on SDGs

The scale of post-harvest loss, estimated at 30% to 50% of total agricultural produce, presents a significant obstacle to achieving several SDGs.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The loss of nearly half of the nation’s agricultural output directly threatens food security and availability, counteracting efforts to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty): These losses critically undermine the livelihoods of farmers, reducing their income and perpetuating poverty cycles among small-scale producers.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The substantial financial deficit weakens Nigeria’s export potential and slows national economic growth, limiting the agricultural sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The high level of food loss is in direct opposition to Target 12.3, which calls for halving food waste and reducing food losses along production and supply chains.

2.0 Causal Factors of Post-Harvest Losses

The primary drivers of agricultural wastage have been identified as systemic failures in the value chain, highlighting challenges related to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

1. Poor handling practices at the farm level.
2. Inadequate and insufficient storage facilities.
3. Inefficient and underdeveloped transportation and logistics systems.
4. Limited capacity for agro-processing and value addition.

3.0 Recommended Strategies for Mitigation and Sustainable Development

A multi-faceted approach has been proposed to address the crisis, with strategies that align with multiple SDGs. Davidorlah Nigeria Limited, an agritech company, has signaled its readiness to support these national efforts.

3.1 Infrastructure and Technological Innovation (SDG 9 & SDG 7)

• Invest in modern storage infrastructure, including cold chains and silos.
• Establish local processing hubs to extend the shelf life of perishable goods.
• Improve rural road networks and logistics to prevent damage during transit.
• Deploy sustainable technologies such as solar dryers, mobile processing units, and low-cost preservation systems.

3.2 Policy and Capacity Building (SDG 8 & SDG 17)

• Implement policies that encourage investment in agro-processing and reward waste-reduction initiatives.
• Provide training for farmers on improved harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques to reduce waste at the source.
• Foster multi-stakeholder partnerships between government, the private sector, and research institutions to drive innovation.

4.0 Waste-to-Wealth Opportunities for a Circular Economy

Transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources presents a significant opportunity to advance a circular economy and achieve multiple development goals.

4.1 Economic and Environmental Benefits (SDG 8, SDG 12, SDG 13)

• Job Creation: Large-scale waste-reduction and processing initiatives can create thousands of jobs in logistics, storage management, and rural enterprise development.
• Value-Added Industries: Agricultural by-products can be converted into high-value goods such as animal feed, bioenergy, bioplastics, and organic fertilisers, generating new revenue streams.
• Climate Action: Minimising agricultural waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions from decomposition, while composting enhances soil health and promotes sustainable agriculture.

4.2 Agro-Waste for Clean Energy (SDG 7)

Research indicates that agricultural waste, including pineapple by-products, can be converted into gas to generate electricity. This waste-to-energy model offers a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s energy challenges, demonstrating how agricultural innovation can power industries and communities, thereby advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on post-harvest losses in Nigeria connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting the multifaceted impacts of food waste on the economy, environment, and society. The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The core issue of post-harvest loss directly impacts food security and farmer livelihoods.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article proposes innovative solutions to convert agricultural waste into bioenergy to address electricity shortages.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The economic impact of food loss and the potential for job creation through waste-reduction initiatives are central themes.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article emphasizes the need for improved infrastructure (storage, transport) and technological innovation to solve the crisis.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The entire discussion is framed around reducing food losses along the production and supply chain.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The environmental benefits of reducing agricultural waste, such as curbing greenhouse gas emissions, are explicitly mentioned.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues and solutions discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to food. The article states that post-harvest losses “threaten food security” and “reduce food availability,” directly linking the issue to this target.
   • Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article notes that losses “undermine farmers’ livelihoods” and that reducing waste will “increase farmers’ incomes.”

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy. The article proposes converting agricultural waste into gas for electricity, stating that “agricultural by-products can power industries and communities,” which is a form of renewable bioenergy.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and technological upgrading. The article highlights “agritech,” “waste-to-wealth innovation,” and the creation of “value-added industries” like bioenergy and bioplastics.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment. The article explicitly states that waste-reduction initiatives would “create thousands of jobs in logistics, processing, storage management, technology manufacturing, and rural enterprise development.”

4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The article calls for “investing in modern storage and processing facilities, such as cold chains, silos” and addressing “inefficient transportation systems” and “poor rural roads.”

5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.3: Halve per capita global food waste and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. This is the most direct target, as the article’s central theme is Nigeria’s loss of “between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of its agricultural produce annually” to “post-harvest losses.”
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The article’s focus on “turning waste into wealth” through the production of “animal feed, bioenergy, bioplastics, and organic fertilisers” directly aligns with this target.

6. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article implies a connection to climate action targets by stating that minimising agricultural waste “curbs greenhouse gas emissions.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides both quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

1. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

   • Indicator: Monetary value of post-harvest losses. The article quantifies this as an “estimated $9–$10 billion every year.” Reducing this monetary loss would indicate progress.
   • Indicator: Percentage of agricultural output lost. The article states this is “between 30 per cent and 50 per cent.” This figure directly relates to the Food Loss Index (Indicator 12.3.1) and serves as a baseline for measuring reduction.

2. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Indicator: Number of jobs created. The article suggests that initiatives would “create thousands of jobs” in various sectors, which is a direct measure of progress towards Target 8.5.
   • Indicator: Contribution of agriculture to GDP. The article mentions that reducing waste would “strengthen agriculture’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.”

3. For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Indicator: Amount of electricity generated from agricultural waste. The article proposes that waste can be “converted into gas and used to generate electricity,” providing a new, measurable source of energy.

4. For SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

   • Indicator 12.3.1 (Food Loss Index): The article provides a direct measure for this indicator by stating that Nigeria loses “between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of its agricultural produce annually.” Progress would be a reduction in this percentage.

5. For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Indicator: Greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural waste. The article implies this as a measurable outcome, stating that waste reduction “curbs greenhouse gas emissions.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: guardian.ng