Nigeria is pushing a new technology-driven solution to tackle food spoilage as Community Action for Food Security, Africa (CAFS) and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) unveiled a blockchain-powered climate-smart solar dryer project aimed at reducing post-harvest losses across the country.
The initiative, titled “Incorporation of Blockchain Technology to Access Climate-Smart Solar Dryers,” is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Tadamon Accelerator for Food Security programme.
The project is expected to address one of the major problems affecting Nigeria’s food supply chain, especially the massive losses recorded after harvest due to poor storage and preservation systems.
Speaking during the unveiling, Executive Director of NSPRI, Prof. Lateef Sanni, said Nigeria could no longer ignore the growing impact of post-harvest losses on food security and farmers’ income.
According to him, between 30 and 50 per cent of perishable agricultural produce is lost yearly because of inadequate storage facilities, weak processing systems and limited access to preservation technologies.
“Nigeria continues to face significant post-harvest losses,” Sanni said.
“These losses disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, women processors and rural communities, contributing to reduced incomes, food insecurity and economic inefficiencies.”
Founder of CAFS Africa, Mr Azeez Salawu, explained that the project combines clean energy infrastructure with blockchain technology to improve transparency and access to food preservation systems.
He said the solar-powered dryers would help preserve agricultural produce in a cleaner and more climate-friendly way, while the blockchain system would monitor usage and ensure accountability.
“By integrating solar-powered dryers with blockchain technology, we are not only reducing food losses but also ensuring transparency, equitable access and long-term sustainability,” Salawu said.
Project Training and Deployment Expert, Dr Michael Omodara, said the technology would improve product quality, reduce contamination and extend shelf life for food products.
He added that the initiative also focuses on training farmers, women processors and youths who will serve as technicians and digital facilitators within their communities.
According to him, the project is expected to improve farmers’ income, increase market access and strengthen climate-resilient food systems across Nigeria.
