Citrus farmers in Benue state are facing severe post-harvest losses.
These losses are primarily caused by inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation networks, and limited access to processing plants.
These challenges have undermined their efforts to maximise production and profitability.
Benue, often called the ‘Food Basket of the Nation’, is a major producer of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
However, in spite of its agricultural prominence, farmers lament that much of their hard work goes to waste.
A large portion of their harvest rots before it reaches the market.
For example, Mrs Esther Tor, a citrus farmer from Gboko, revealed that over 60 per cent of her annual produce is lost.
“We put in so much effort to cultivate and harvest these fruits, but without proper storage or buyers, they just rot in heaps,” she said.
Similarly, Mr James Afia from Ushongo highlighted transportation challenges as a major contributor to their woes.
“Many of us rely on rural roads that become nearly blocked during the rainy season. Trucks frequently break down, leaving the fruits stranded and spoiled,” he explained.
Moreover, local farmers attribute their struggles to insufficient investment in agro-processing industries and limited access to credit facilities.
They also stress the absence of cold storage systems and modern preservation technologies that could extend the shelf life of their produce.
Noting the urgency of the situation, Mr Vincent Atim, another citrus farmer, stressed the need for immediate government intervention.
“We urge both the federal and state governments to subsidise storage facilities, provide modern drying and juicing equipment, and rehabilitate rural roads,” he said.
Atim further warned, “If urgent action is not taken, Benue’s citrus farmers may be forced out of business, threatening livelihoods and the state’s position as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural sector”.
He added that the sight of rotten oranges across farms is a painful reminder of wasted potential and resources.
Post-Harvest Losses (PHLs) have impacted food security and economic stability across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.
In 2011, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that up to 37 per cent of food produced in the region is lost between production and consumption.
Specifically, cereal losses were estimated at 20.5 per cent, with post-harvest handling and storage losses around 8 per cent.
In Nigeria, post-harvest losses are a major concern, particularly for staple crops like maize and grain legumes.
Comparatively, while Nigeria faces substantial post-harvest challenges, the issue is pervasive across many African nations.
Also, the African Postharvest Losses Information System (APHLIS) reports that post-harvest grain losses in Sub-Saharan Africa range from 10 to 20 per cent, depending on the country and crop.
Many stakeholders assert that addressing these losses requires improving storage, transportation, and handling practices.
These measures, they argue, are vital to reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing food security across the continent.
According to the FAO, post-harvest losses of citrus fruits in Benue were as high as 40 per cent in 2019.
The organisation attributed these losses to several factors, including inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and insufficient market access.
The FAO further noted that farmers face significant challenges in accessing markets, which often leads to a build-up of unsold produce and increased losses.
In response to these challenges, agriculture expert Mr Edwin Asue advised the Benue State Government to introduce initiatives to address post-harvest losses.
He proposed establishing citrus processing plants in the state, ideally one in each of the three Senatorial districts.
“These processing plants would provide a ready market for farmers and significantly reduce losses,” he noted.
Additionally, Asue suggested that the government train and support farmers on best practices for handling and storage.
He recommended partnerships with local organisations to facilitate these trainings.
Furthermore, he emphasised the need to provide improved packaging materials to citrus farmers, which can reduce damage and spoilage during transportation and storage.
Asue also advocated for the use of technology, such as mobile apps and digital platforms, to connect farmers with buyers and provide real-time market information.
“Online marketplaces should be established to reduce the role of intermediaries and increase farmers’ earnings,” he said.
In addition to these recommendations, another agriculture expert, Mr Moses Angwe, emphasised the need for more concerted efforts to tackle post-harvest losses.
To address these gaps, Angwe urged the government to provide citrus farmers with access to finance, enabling them to invest in improved storage facilities, handling practices, and packaging materials.
He also called for the establishment of more markets and improved access to existing ones, which would help farmers sell their produce more easily and reduce losses.
Furthermore, Angwe stressed the importance of value addition activities.
“Encouraging farmers to engage in activities such as juicing, jam-making, and drying can increase their earnings and minimise losses.
“Reducing post-harvest losses requires a multi-faceted approach involving technology, training, and infrastructure development.
“By working together, the government, farmers, and other stakeholders can unlock the full potential of the citrus sector and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr James Toryila, a supporter of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, stated that the government is addressing the issue by attracting private sector investment into the agricultural value chain.
“The government is engaging stakeholders to build processing plants and create market linkages that will help farmers reduce post-harvest losses,” Toryila stated. (NAN)
