From Farm to Future: Tackling Post-Harvest Losses to Secure Global Food Supply and Sustainability

Food insecurity is one of the most pressing sustainability challenges in Africa, alongside environmental degradation, water scarcity, and inadequate access to healthcare. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, around 868 million people faced food insecurity on the continent in 2022, with 342 million experiencing a severe food crisis.

Over the years, food insecurity has plunged millions into poverty across Africa. In northeast Nigeria alone, 4.4 million people are food insecure, and 37% of the population lives below the poverty line, as reported by the World Food Programme. This has worsened in Nigeria due to insurgent activities, rising inflation, and climate-related factors such as droughts and floods. A particularly challenging aspect of food insecurity in the country is the crisis surrounding post-harvest losses.

According to Premium Times, Nigeria’s annual post-harvest losses are estimated at US $2.1 billion, a figure that exceeds the country’s five-year agricultural budget and contributes to both food insecurity and economic losses. These losses disproportionately affect farmers and the economy, with women and children being the most impacted by food shortages. This is where NaFarm Foods has made a significant impact with its innovative solution.

NaFarm Foods, a Nigerian-based SME, has developed hybrid solar food dryers aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, preventing food spoilage, cutting carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across Nigeria. This groundbreaking technology is changing lives, particularly in remote and underserved areas. More than 80 communities in six Nigerian states have benefited from these solar food dryers, which have a capacity of 500kg per unit and maintain the nutritional quality of food while minimising energy costs. The dynamic dryers combine solar heat with electricity generated from solar panels, ensuring effective drying during all weather conditions, including rainy days.

With this innovation, NaFarm Foods aims to make a global impact. The organisation’s ambitions have already reaped the expected dividends, as evidenced by its recognition and the impressive US $1 million award it received earlier this year from Zayed Sustainability Prize. The global award, which reflects the UAE’s commitment to ensuring a progressive and sustainability-driven world, has given rise to a forward-thinking cadre of innovators and entrepreneurs who are creating significant impacts across the world.

Established 17 years ago, the Zayed Sustainability Prize honours the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. This prestigious award honours and empowers those who are driving transformative change across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Since its inception, through its 128 winners, the Prize has positively impacted over 400 million lives worldwide.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize offers SMEs, nonprofit organisations and high schools across the continent an opportunity to leverage their work to uplift their communities at a greater scale. Apply today by visiting www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com. The deadline is 23 June 2025.