By Abdullahi Lukman
The President of the Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA), Alexander Isong, has underscored the critical importance of the cold chain sector in ensuring food security in Nigeria.
Speaking at the seventh West Africa Cold Chain Summit and Exhibition and the 10th Agrofood and Plastprintpack Fair held in Lagos on Tuesday, Isong highlighted the significant role cold chain infrastructure plays in reducing food waste and enhancing the nation’s agricultural potential.
In his welcome address, Isong revealed that Nigeria produces approximately 55 million tonnes of food annually, yet 40 percent of this food is lost due to inadequate cold chain facilities.
This results in an economic loss of around N3.5 trillion ($1 billion), which, according to Isong, represents a massive market opportunity for both investors and government to capitalize on within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“Without a cold chain, there will be no food security,” Isong stated, urging foreign investors to take advantage of the vast opportunities within the Nigerian agriculture ecosystem.
He pointed out that investing in cold chain infrastructure could significantly reduce food losses and help meet the growing demand for food in the country.
Isong further addressed the issue of spoilage in Nigeria’s beef and dairy production, noting that over 30 percent of locally produced beef and dairy spoil before reaching consumers, resulting in an additional N200 billion ($480 million) in losses.
He called on investors to consider these challenges as opportunities to contribute to the growth and modernization of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Isong touched on the challenges of certification for agricultural products, stating that without meeting international certification standards, Nigeria struggles to trade its agro products abroad.
He assured attendees that the Nigerian government, under President Buhari’s leadership, is actively working to address these certification issues to facilitate smoother trade with foreign partners.
As the exhibition progresses, Isong expressed optimism that the event would bring quality and value to Nigeria’s economy, fostering investments in the cold chain and agricultural sectors.