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Tag: Segun Alabi

  • Nigeria loses about 10 billion to post harvest waste annually, says Agric expert

    Nigeria loses about 10 billion to post harvest waste annually, says Agric expert

    Chief Executor Officer of Davidorlah Farms, Segun Alabi, said on Monday that Nigeria loses an approximately 10 billion dollars annually post harvest waste in fruits, vegetables, grains and other personable products.

    Addressing a news conference at the National Assembly, Alabi said these losses undermine farmers’ incomes, reduce food availability, and impede national economic growth, adding that 

    estimates indicate that Nigeria loses between 30% and 50% of its agricultural produce annually to waste, translating to billions of dollars lost each year.

    He said, “Each year, significant portions of crops are lost due to suboptimal harvesting, inadequate storage, poor transportation, and limited processing capacity”. 

    He said to address the challenge of agricultural waste, there is the need to investment in modern storage and processing facilities through the establishment of cold chains, silos, and local processing units which has the capacity to extend the shelf life of perishable products and enables value addition.

    He also called for enhanced transportation infrastructure and the improvement of rural roads and logistics systems ensures that produce reaches markets quickly and in good condition, while also providing farmers with knowledge on best harvesting practices, post-harvest handling, and waste minimization techniques helps reduce losses at the source.

    He also spoke of the deployment of affordable preservation methods, such as solar dryers and mobile processing units, can help smallholder farmers minimize spoilage and the need for government policies that promote private sector investment in agro-processing and provide incentives for waste reduction initiatives are essential.

    Alabi also said there was the need to reducing agricultural waste which he said will directly boosts Nigeria’s economy by increasing the

    availability of marketable produce, enhancing export potential, and improving food security. 

    He said, “With less waste, farmers and agribusinesses retain more value from their harvests, contributing to higher GDP and creating a more resilient agricultural sector. Savings from reduced losses can be reinvested, stimulating growth across the value chain.

    “Implementation of waste reduction strategies opens up numerous employment opportunities. New jobs arise in logistics, storage facility management, food processing, preservation technology manufacturing, and training services. As value-addition industries grow, they offer employment for youth and women, supporting inclusive economic development and reducing rural poverty.

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    “Minimizing agricultural waste translates to more efficient use of land, water, and energy resources. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with decomposing organic waste and limits environmental degradation. Sustainable waste management practices, such as composting and recycling, can further enhance soil fertility and ecosystem health.

    “Addressing agricultural waste unlocks new streams of wealth creation. By converting waste into value-added products—such as animal feed, bioenergy, bioplastics, and organic fertilizers—entrepreneurs can tap into emerging markets. These ventures foster innovation, diversify income sources, and contribute to national wealth”.

    He said the financial losses Nigeria incurs from agricultural waste are substantial, but they also represent an immense opportunity for transformation. By adopting proven solutions and fostering a culture of waste reduction, Nigeria can strengthen its economy, create jobs, protect the environment, and generate new wealth.

  • ‘How pineapple farming can be attractive to youths’

    ‘How pineapple farming can be attractive to youths’

    An Agriprenure, Segun Alabi has affirmed that one of the ways pineapple farming can be attractive to young people is for the government to finance young entrepreneurs towards achieving self-sustainability.

    Alabi called on both the federal and state governments to provide an enabling environment that will make Nigerians, especially the youths to embrace agriculture, through provision of security and social amenities that will discourage rural-urban migration.

    Alabi, who is the CEO of Davidorlah Nigeria Limited and founder of Davidorlah Farm, made the call while allocating pineapple farms to some farmers, who had subscribed to the phase 2 of his pineapple farms plantation, located in Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu North local government area of Ogun State.

    He noted that the allocation marks a key milestone in the company’s mission to position Nigeria as a leading pineapple exporter in the world in the next few years.

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    While describing pineapple farming as a lucrative business, Alabi noted that pineapple farms are immune to destruction by cattle, unlike other crops.

    He said: “Phase 1 has been sold out and in phase 2 the road construction is done by the World Bank. Where we are at Davidolar farm estate, is a good farm estate.  The demand for pineapple around the world is increasing on a daily basis.

    “If Nigeria becomes the highest producer of pineapple in the world, supplying all other countries around the world, I think it’s the best thing our government can do for our youth because the demand is there.

    “If you can create a land that can produce good pineapple, then it is good for us and the government can just empower the youth as in finance. The major thing is finance: when young people have finance, they can do anything.

    Speaking further, he said Davidolar Farm is positioned to train people as well as become the largest exporter of pineapple.

    He said: “We have trained over 500 people. The value chain in pineapple is so wide.

    “Pineapple cultivation has positive socio-economic implications and creates jobs for many people in rural areas, thereby contributing to reducing unemployment and poverty”.

    While explaining the value chain in pineapple, he noted that apart from using the fruit for juice, its peel can be used for shoes, clothes, bio-fuel production, creation of renewable energy, cloth production as well as shoes.

    The entrepreneur also disclosed that his firm is in partnership with investors  in the area of turning pineapple waste to wealth from the Netherlands and Indonesia to solve the challenge of importation of fertilizer.