International Fertiliser Development Center (IFDC) has intensified efforts to tackle Nigeria's challenge of post-harvest losses by championing use of plastic crates for tomato storage and transportation.
Speaking at 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS) meeting in Kaduna, National Programme Coordinator of HortNigeria, Mohammed Idris, said the initiative is part of IFDC's broader strategy to modernise logistics in Nigeria's vegetable value chain and foster sustainable food systems.
He noted that through its Netherlands-funded agricultural programmes, IFDC has submitted policy recommendations to Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, urging inclusion of tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, and others in national agricultural planning.
"Imagine transporting tomatoes in raffia baskets from Kaduna to Lagos, over 1,000 kilometres. By the time they arrive, barely half of them is still in good condition," Idris noted.
"Plastic crates are durable; they reduce losses, produce quality, and support sustainable value chain," he added.
According to Idris, post-harvest losses in tomato industry is about 40 per cent due to poor handling and packaging. To address this, IFDC has been training farmers on modern post-harvest practice and facilitating access to improved logistics tools through collaborations with local manufacturers.
He noted that limited access to financing had slowed adoption, as agribusiness investors struggled with credit risk constraints. However, recent policy adjustments have created opportunities for expansion.
Idris announced that the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending has increased its credit risk guarantee from 50 to 75 per cent, paving the way for a N500 million special intervention programme in partnership with IFDC to expand plastic crate availability in the tomato value chain.