Agriculture
THE Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) has proffered workable measures to boost Nigeria’s cold-chain sector capacity.
The OTACCWA president, Mr Alexander Isong, proffered the solution in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
NAN reports that OTACCWA was established on June 1, 2018, with the objective of promoting and facilitating the development of the cold chain system in West Africa.
Over the years, Post-Harvest Loss has constituted a significant problem and challenge across sub-Saharan Africa, with recent studies pegging rates as high as 50 per cent, especially in perishable nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Hence, the necessity to build local cold-chain sector’s capacity to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food security.
Isong highlighted implementable strategies to increase the capacity of local cold-chain operators and build a more sustainable industry
He noted that “to increase capacity, local cold-chain operators need access to affordable financing for equipment and infrastructure upgrades. Besides, leveraging public-private partnerships can provide the necessary capital.
“Additionally, knowledge-sharing platforms, where operators can learn best practices, combined with government policy that incentivises investment in local capacity, would help.
“Long-term sustainability can also be achieved by promoting the use of renewable energy and encouraging local manufacturing of equipment.
“To this end, we organise annually the West Africa Cold Chain Summit & Exhibition, which brings together industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the latest advancements in cold chain technology, logistics, and infrastructure.
“They also proffer measures on how to move the country forward in its quest to develop its cold chain infrastructure and capability,” Isong said.
He also recommended that OTACCWA host a deal room to match investors with businesses seeking funding for ground-breaking cold-chain projects and growth for already existing ones.
In projection of the Nigerian cold-chain sector, the OTACCWA president envisioned rapid growth with the aforementioned factors in place.
“Over the next five to 10 years, I envision the cold-chain industry growing rapidly in Nigeria, driven by increasing demand for food preservation, healthcare, and exports.
“The sector will likely see more technological innovation, with smart cold chain systems enabling better tracking and control of goods.
“We may also see stronger regulatory frameworks and standards to ensure compliance and efficiency as government has risen to the challenge.
“The rise of renewable energy in powering cold storage solutions will also play a key role,” he said. (NAN)
10th November, 2024.
C.E
Tags:
