By Faridat Salifu
The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, has raised concerns over persistent post-harvest losses and weak market linkages, warning that they continue to undermine Nigeria’s agricultural potential.
He spoke at the 40th anniversary and annual stakeholders’ workshop of the Sasakawa Africa Association, where sector players examined barriers to productivity and food system efficiency.
Hideo noted that while Nigeria has the capacity to lead agric-driven growth in Africa, inefficiencies across the value chain are limiting output and farmer earnings.
He stressed that improving storage, processing, and access to markets would significantly reduce losses and stabilise supply.
The envoy also highlighted mechanisation as a critical gap, saying increased adoption of modern farming equipment would boost productivity and reduce reliance on manual labour.
Participants at the event emphasised that tackling these structural challenges is essential to strengthening food security and positioning agriculture as a reliable driver of Nigeria’s economy.
