By Agrobroadcast Team
Concerns are mounting over the significant amount of food lost before it reaches Nigerian consumers, with stakeholders warning that inefficiencies in the agricultural supply chain are worsening the country’s food security challenges.
Industry players made this known in Lagos during the launch of a corporate farming initiative designed to strengthen agricultural production and curb post-harvest losses across the country.
According to participants drawn from government, agribusiness, finance and farming communities, Nigeria must transition from its largely fragmented smallholder farming system to a more coordinated commercial farming structure capable of increasing productivity and ensuring stable food supply.
During the event, Origin Tech Group introduced its Corporate Farm Model, an initiative aimed at supporting large-scale agricultural production through structured financing, professional farm management and guaranteed market access for farm produce.
The Executive Chairman of the company, Prince Samuel, said inefficiencies within the agricultural value chain have led to substantial food losses, particularly in major urban centres.
He revealed that as much as 50 per cent of food produced in Lagos fails to reach consumers due to weaknesses in transportation, storage and distribution systems.
Samuel explained that the corporate farming model was developed to reduce the risks that have historically discouraged investors from participating in agriculture.
He noted that several financial institutions previously recorded losses after funding poorly coordinated agricultural projects that lacked technical expertise and assured markets.
Under the new initiative, investors will have access to farmland, farm management services, financing support and guaranteed off-take for agricultural produce.
He added that farms under the model will operate on a minimum size of 1,000 hectares. Investors are expected to contribute between 20 and 30 per cent equity, while the remaining funding will be sourced from financial institutions and the company.
Samuel further stated that farmers participating in the programme will receive technical support for two farming cycles, alongside advisory services to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Operating Officer of Origin Automobile Works, Leo Edwards, said Nigeria’s low level of farm mechanisation remains a major barrier to agricultural productivity.
Citing figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization, he noted that the global standard for mechanised farming stands at 1.5 horsepower per hectare, while Nigeria currently operates at just 0.0027 horsepower per hectare.
In her remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, stressed the need for reforms in Nigeria’s agricultural framework to tackle persistent food losses and improve supply across the country.