Experts say practical biotechnological preservation methods adaptable to existing rural infrastructure will help in stemming post-harvest losses in the country.
They said this during interviews on Tuesday in Abuja.
Prof. Charles Adetunji, a biotechnologist, said bio-preservation remained Nigeria’s most viable immediate solution because it required limited electricity and affordable local materials.
Bio-preservation used beneficial microorganisms and natural compounds to delay spoilage, especially for fruits, vegetables and grains commonly wasted after harvest.
Adetunji said farmers could adopt microbial coatings and bio-based preservatives without purchasing sophisticated machinery unavailable in many rural communities.
According to him, fermentation technologies and plant-derived antimicrobial extracts can significantly extend shelf life while preserving nutritional quality and market value.
He said that irradiation also offered strong preservation potential but required higher capital investment, specialised facilities and strict regulatory monitoring.
“Irradiation can destroy harmful microbes and insects effectively but infrastructure limitations currently restrict large-scale adoption across Nigeria,” he said.
Adetunji urged government agencies to establish regional biotechnology centres supporting storage innovation, farmer education and affordable preservation technologies.
Also speaking, Dr Edwin Imuk, an agritech innovator, identified solar-powered cold storage integrated with biotechnology as another realistic intervention for local farmers.
Imuk said combining bio-preservation techniques with renewable-energy storage systems could reduce dependence on unstable electricity supplies affecting conventional cold-chain facilities.
He explained that smart packaging embedded with natural antimicrobial substances could help transport produce safely across long distances without rapid deterioration.
According to him, cassava, tomatoes and peppers remain highly vulnerable because inadequate storage and transportation systems accelerate spoilage before products reach consumers.
Imuk said digital monitoring tools could also help farmers track temperature, humidity and contamination risks during storage and distribution processes.
He stressed that local production of biodegradable preservation materials would reduce costs and encourage wider acceptance among smallholder farmers.
The innovator urged stronger collaboration among universities, biotechnology firms and agricultural cooperatives to commercialise affordable preservation technologies nationwide.