Abuja: Community Action for Food Security, Africa (CAFS) and Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) have unveiled ‘Incorporation of Blockchain Technology to Access Climate-Smart Solar Dryers’ to tackle post-harvest losses. The project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Tadamon Accelerator for Food Security, is aimed at addressing one of the major challenges in Nigeria’s food supply.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Lateef Sanni, Executive Director of NSPRI, emphasized the urgent need to deploy innovative solutions in post-harvest management. Strengthening food preservation systems is critical for ensuring national food security and improving livelihoods. Significant post-harvest losses in Nigeria result in up to 50 percent of perishable agricultural produce being lost annually due to inadequate storage and inefficient processing systems. These losses disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, women processors, and rural communities, leading to reduced incomes and food insecurity.
Mr. Azeez Salawu, Founder of CAFS Africa, explained that the project combines climate-smart infrastructure with digital innovation. By integrating solar-powered dryers with blockchain technology, the initiative aims to reduce food losses while ensuring transparency, equitable access, and sustainability. The solar-powered dryers serve as a clean and efficient method of preserving agricultural produce, while the blockchain platform tracks usage and promotes access to shared infrastructure.
Dr. Michael Omodara, Project Training and Deployment Expert, highlighted that the solar dryers would improve product quality, reduce contamination, and extend shelf life. The blockchain system will enable real-time monitoring and accountability. The integration of blockchain into agricultural systems represents a forward-looking approach to building smart and resilient food systems. The project places strong emphasis on capacity building and inclusion, targeting smallholder farmers, women in food processing, and youth as technicians and digital facilitators.