By Funmilola Gboteku
Terroso Group says Nigeria’s food crisis stems from weak preservation systems rather than actual food shortages.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Opeoluwa Runsewe, said this during a webinar on post-harvest losses and infrastructure solutions held on Wednesday.
The event with the theme ‘Post-Harvest Losses: The Business Case for Cold Chain Investment and Agro-Industrialisation’.
Runsewe noted that while food security dominated discussions, preservation challenges remained largely unaddressed.
He explained that Nigeria produces enough food, but weak storage and transport systems cause heavy losses before produce reaches consumers.
“The fact is that Nigeria doesn’t have a food shortage problem; it has a preservation failure disguised as scarcity,” he said.
According to him, without cold storage and transport, food begins to spoil immediately after harvest, with losses reaching 30 to 50 per cent.
He added that current reliance on basic handling methods worsens losses and reinforces the perception of scarcity.
On productivity, he said poor preservation reduced both the quantity and quality of food available for processing and consumption.
Runsewe noted that absence of temperature-controlled systems made it difficult to meet processing and export standards.
On seasonal supply, he said inadequate storage prevented preservation for off-season periods, causing periodic shortages.
He added that many farmers were forced to sell quickly at low prices due to lack of storage, reducing their income.
On policy, Runsewe urged government support through tax incentives, lower import duties on equipment, and consistent policy frameworks.
He said standardisation, improved rural aggregation systems, and better power supply would strengthen the cold chain network.
On financing, he urged banks to develop funding models suited to infrastructure projects rather than relying solely on traditional lending systems.
Speaking on Terroso’s vision, Runsewe said the company aimed to be both an infrastructure provider and value chain coordinator.
He explained plans to build a nationwide cold chain network and expand into other African markets.
Runsewe added this would include storage hubs in key farming areas, improved export logistics, and data-driven pricing to reduce waste.
He said the goal was to meet local food demand while positioning Nigeria competitively in international markets. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
