By Sodiq Adelakun
In a major stride towards food security, Nigeria has launched a locally developed smart storage system aimed at curbing the estimated ₦14.4 trillion lost annually to post-harvest wastage.
The innovation, dubbed HarvestHarbor, was unveiled in Ogun State by its developer, Prof. Olubunmi Akinola of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Designed to preserve perishable fruits and vegetables for up to one year, the solar-powered system utilizes controlled atmosphere technology and vapour compression cooling to slow ripening and prevent pest damage.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Akinola highlighted that the system offers a sustainable alternative to the typical seven-to-ten-day shelf life of fresh produce at room temperature.
“Harvest Harbor changes the narrative by keeping fruits in a controlled environment, maintaining freshness and quality for the long term without reliance on foreign technology,” he stated.
The innovation has already secured immediate institutional adoption. Mr. Deji Ashiru, Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), announced plans to install the system across 325 greenhouses in the South-West, marking a shift from mere production to value preservation.
The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, described the technology as a critical breakthrough that will save foreign exchange and boost the agricultural value chain.
In a related agricultural push, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has entered a strategic collaboration with the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) to generate over $2 billion in revenue through state-led sugar projects.
The initiative identifies 11 states including Oyo, Kwara, Niger, and Adamawa as prime locations for sugar production.
Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, noted that current macroeconomic conditions have made domestic sugar production commercially attractive, as exchange rate volatility has rendered imports prohibitively expensive.
“Although global sugar prices have remained fairly stable, currency changes have increased the cost of imports,” Bakrin explained.
He added that while Nigeria possesses 1.2 million hectares of suitable land, only 200,000 hectares are required to achieve national self-sufficiency.
NGF Director-General Abdulateef Shittu assured that the forum would prioritise these initiatives to drive rural development and job creation, treating them as bankable projects for attracting investment.