Nigeria, a leading producer of tomatoes and other vegetables, faces a significant challenge: 30-50% of its produce is lost annually due to poor pre and post-harvest practices. Tomatoes are a staple fresh fruit vegetable, rich in vitamins and minerals essential for human health. Despite their importance, many tomatoes are wasted, affecting the food industry and domestic consumption. The demand for tomatoes is growing due to increasing population, and they are a vital crop for food security and economic growth. Tomatoes can be consumed fresh or processed into value-added products like pastes, purees, and fruit drinks. To address the issue of post-harvest losses, stakeholders must work together to improve handling, storage, and processing practices. By doing so, Nigeria can reduce food waste, increase food availability, and support the growth of its agricultural sector. Efforts to tackle tomato losses can have a significant impact on the country’s food security and economy.
Nigeria has made a significant mark in the global tomato production scene, ranking 14th in Africa and 13th globally in 2008 with 1,701,000 tons produced. Tomatoes are a staple crop in Nigerian cuisine, accounting for 18% of daily vegetable consumption. The Northern region is the hub for fresh tomato production, particularly the Roma VF variety, while consumption occurs nationwide. With a growing demand and potential for processing, Nigeria’s tomato industry is poised for growth. However, challenges like post-harvest losses and inadequate infrastructure need to be addressed to meet the increasing demand.
Tomatoes are a popular and nutritious vegetable crop, rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cancer. However, in Nigeria, tomatoes are highly perishable and often deteriorate quickly after harvest, resulting in significant losses. Their seasonal nature and short shelf life lead to waste, affecting food security and farmers’ livelihoods. Addressing these challenges is crucial to maximizing the benefits of tomato production in Nigeria. Post-harvest losses are a significant challenge in Nigeria’s tomato industry, resulting in reduced returns for farmers and marketers. Inadequate infrastructure, poor handling, and limited knowledge of value addition contribute to these losses. Tomatoes are often damaged during transportation due to long distances, poor roads, and inadequate storage facilities. This leads to price fluctuations, reduced income, and food insecurity among producers and marketers. Understanding the extent of these losses is crucial to developing effective solutions and improving the livelihoods of those in the tomato value chain. Action is needed to address this pressing issue. Nigeria’s tomato industry is facing a significant challenge: post-harvest losses. The perishable nature of tomatoes, combined with inadequate infrastructure and poor handling practices, results in substantial losses. According to experts, these losses occur due to poor storage conditions, inadequate packaging, and inefficient transportation systems. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only the crop itself but also the environment, resources, labor, and livelihoods of those involved in production.
In Nigeria, the lack of advanced storage, packaging, and transportation technologies exacerbates the problem. As a result, producers, wholesalers, and retailers suffer reduced marketing margins, impacting their livelihoods. The issue is particularly pressing in developing countries like Nigeria, where post-harvest handling research is often under-prioritized. To address this challenge, stakeholders must work together to develop effective post-harvest handling strategies, invest in infrastructure, and promote best practices. By doing so, Nigeria can reduce food waste, increase food security, and support the growth of its agricultural sector. The future of Nigeria’s tomato industry depends on it.
Agricultural technology plays a vital role in enhancing farm productivity and efficiency. By integrating innovative inputs like high-yielding crop varieties, efficient irrigation systems, and precision farming techniques, farmers can significantly increase their output. Other examples of improved agricultural technology include early maturing plants and animals, effective fertilizer use, and specialized storage facilities. These advancements help farmers overcome challenges and achieve better results. By leveraging technology, the agricultural sector can improve food security, reduce waste, and promote sustainable farming practices. The future of agriculture depends on embracing and developing these technologies.
In a bid to tackle the pressing issue of post-harvest losses in Nigeria, a innovative solution has emerged in the form of Zero Energy Cooling Chambers (ZECCs). Developed by IAIR Pusa, New Delhi, ZECCs are simple, eco-friendly structures that use evaporative cooling to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.ZECCs are constructed using locally available materials such as brick, sand, bamboo, and gunny bags. The chamber’s double-brick walls are filled with sand, which is soaked in water to facilitate evaporative cooling. This natural cooling process reduces the temperature inside the chamber, maintaining high humidity and keeping produce fresh for a longer period.
The benefits of ZECCs are numerous. By reducing post-harvest losses, farmers can increase their income and improve food security. ZECCs are also environmentally friendly, requiring no external power source and using locally available materials. Additionally, they are cost-effective, making them an attractive solution for small-scale farmers.
In Nigeria, where post-harvest losses are estimated to be between 40-50%, the adoption of ZECCs could have a significant impact. By reducing losses and improving the quality of fresh produce, farmers can increase their marketability and improve their livelihoods. The use of ZECCs can also help to reduce distress sales, allowing farmers to sell their produce at better prices. Farmers in Nigeria have successfully tested ZECCs, reporting significant improvements in the shelf life of their produce. The technology has the potential to revolutionize post-harvest storage in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where access to cold storage facilities is limited. The adoption of Zero Energy Cooling Chambers in Nigeria has the potential to transform the agricultural sector. By reducing post-harvest losses and improving the quality of fresh produce, farmers can increase their income and improve food security. As the technology continues to gain traction, it is expected to have a significant impact on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and the overall food security of the country.
Dr. Umar Makinde
Department of Agricultural Extension of Rural Development