Lagos: Nigeria requires an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 refrigerated trucks to effectively reduce post-harvest losses, according to the Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA). The President of OTACCWA, Mr. Alexander Isong, conveyed this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Isong highlighted that the initial estimate of 5,000 trucks was merely a minimum threshold and that further analysis revealed a higher requirement to ensure comprehensive national coverage. He emphasized the need for a structured mix of small last-mile refrigerated trucks, medium distribution trucks, and heavy-duty long-haul cold transport vehicles to cover rural production zones adequately.
Isong pointed out that the absence of cold mobility creates a significant gap that storage facilities alone cannot bridge. He stressed that transport is the critical missing link in addressing Nigeria’s N5 trillion annual post-harvest losses. Additionally, he recommended the establishment of pre-cooling centers near farms to minimize spoilage shortly after harvest.
As the Country Director – Nigeria for World Agriculture Forum, Isong advocated for the implementation of digital traceability systems to monitor temperature compliance throughout supply chains. He stated that scaling cold mobility infrastructure would help stabilize food prices, enhance farmer earnings, and reduce wastage, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Isong elaborated on the importance of cold chain infrastructure in mitigating food insecurity within Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in reducing post-harvest losses. He explained that a cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain designed to preserve and transport perishable products, ensuring their quality, safety, and shelf life from production to consumption.
NAN reports that OTACCWA is a multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral organization comprising professionals, companies, and entities from Nigeria and ECOWAS countries. The organization focuses on organizing and advocating for stakeholders in the cold chain supply industry, specifically addressing perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. OTACCWA promotes industry collaboration, sustainability, and innovation through policy recommendations, standard setting, and infrastructure development.