By Aisha Gambo
In it effort to reducing food waste in Nigeria,a private company launched a 100-ton solar-powered, walk-in cold room for food storage and preservation in Zaria, Kaduna State on Wednesday.
The company launched the facility at Dan Magaji Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Market and Aggregation Centre, Zaria.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu said the facility would serve the tomato triangle of Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states.
“When we made our research on places that produce fresh fruits and vegetables, Zaria came top on the list; we are going to ensure tomato business is more profitable.
“With this facility, you can store your tomatoes for three months without spoilage and it has the capacity to store 5,000 crates daily.
“We also have refrigerated trucks ready to convey fresh fruits and vegetables to any part of Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to him, the 100-ton cold room is the first of its kind for the preservation of perishable foods in the cold chain industry in West Africa.
He said the company also trains smallholder farmers, retailers and wholesalers on skills and knowledge about post-harvest management of perishable foods.
Meanwhile, the Country Director Heifer international company, Mr Rufus Idris said it was working with the ColdHub to stop post-harvest losses.
He enjoined women in particular to exploit the innovation and technology provided to improve their trades.
“Our idea is to end hunger and poverty in Nigeria and Zaria is the tomato hub situated at the triangle of tomato production areas.
“Our aim is that by 2030 we would have helped two million farmers in Nigeria and households to close their living income gaps,’’ he said.
In a goodwill message the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu-Bamalli commended the innovation saying it would go a long way to reduce losses of tomato and other perishable foods.
The emir, represented by Sarkin Yaki Zazzau, Alhaji Rilwanu Yahya-Pate urged farmers to embrace the innovation and use it effectively to boost their farming business.
He urged government to provide farmers with agricultural inputs which would motivate them to produce more food for the state and for the country at large.
Some of the farmers and traders present commended the company while expressing hope for better yield and sale of fresh produce.
Chairman, Tomato Dealers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Rabiu Hussaini said the cold room was a prayer answered as farmers and dealers of tomatoes had been incurring huge losses.
He assured the company of high patronage by tomato farmers and dealers.
On his part, Malam Umar Kasimu, a trader urged the company to charge affordable rates for the storage of produce so as to encourage many farmers to patronise it. (NAN)