世界发展银行-Nigeria---Food-Smart-Country-Diagnostic_34页_2mb

Summary of the Nigeria Food Smart Country Diagnostic

Core Content

The Nigeria Food Smart Country Diagnostic is a comprehensive assessment of the country's food system, focusing on food loss and waste (FLW) as a critical issue that impacts food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. The study evaluates the potential policy impacts of reducing FLW along the value chain for three key commodities: maize, tomatoes, and catfish, and highlights the challenges and opportunities in addressing this issue across different regions of the country.

Main Objectives

• To identify the key drivers of food loss and waste in Nigeria.
• To assess the economic, environmental, and social impacts of FLW.
• To provide actionable recommendations for policymakers to improve food security and reduce FLW.

Key Findings

• FLW in Nigeria: Nigeria loses and wastes about 40% of its total food production, which accounts for 31% of its total land use and contributes to 5% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
• Economic Impact: FLW costs Nigeria around 9.1% of GDP annually, which is a significant economic burden.
• Food Security Challenges: Over 12% of Nigerians are undernourished, and 44% are food insecure. With a projected population of 400 million by 2050, food security will become even more critical.
• Urbanization and Dietary Shifts: As Nigeria becomes more urbanized, with an expected 70% urban population by 2050, there will be a greater demand for perishables and proteins, increasing the pressure on the food system.
• Climate Change: Climate change is expected to reduce crop yields in Nigeria, especially in the North, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events. This will exacerbate existing food insecurity and loss issues.

Key Commodities & Loss Hotspots

The diagnostic focuses on three commodities that are representative of both staple and perishable food systems in Nigeria:

1. Maize

• Production: Nigeria is one of the largest maize producers in Africa, with annual production exceeding 10 million tonnes.
• Use: Maize is a major source of caloric intake and is used in livestock feed (50-70%).
• Losses: Due to its rain-fed nature, maize is highly vulnerable to climate variability, especially in the North.
• Impact: Reducing losses in maize could significantly improve food security and farmer incomes.

2. Tomatoes

• Production: Nigeria is the 2nd largest producer of fresh tomatoes in Africa and 14th globally.
• Demand: With rising incomes and an expanding middle class, demand for tomatoes has grown.
• Losses: Post-harvest losses are significant, especially during transportation.
• Processing: Tomato processing has emerged as a reliable method to reduce losses. The government has implemented policies to reduce tomato paste imports.

3. Catfish

• Production: Catfish is the most cultivated fish species in Nigeria, accounting for 64% of aquaculture production.
• Import Dependency: Nigeria is a major importer of fish, but aquaculture offers a promising alternative.
• Losses: High post-harvest losses and input costs (especially fish feed) are major constraints.
• Conflict Impact: Aquaculture can provide alternative income for fishers affected by conflict and insecurity.

Main Recommendations

• Improve Information Access: Provide farmers with real-time data on weather, market conditions, and labor availability to reduce losses and improve productivity.
• Enhance Storage and Handling: Invest in innovative storage solutions, refrigeration, and transport infrastructure to reduce losses during transit.
• Strengthen Rural Infrastructure: Improve rural connectivity and storage facilities to ensure that food reaches remote and vulnerable populations.
• Promote Food Safety: Address food safety risks in both traditional and informal sectors, which are major contributors to foodborne diseases.
• Support Smallholder Farmers: Implement social safety nets to protect farmers from price volatility and income loss resulting from FLW reduction strategies.
• Policy Integration: Align FLW reduction strategies with global and regional commitments, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12.3) and the Malabo Declaration.

Key Drivers of Food Loss and Waste

• Climate Variability: Especially in the north, where rain-fed agriculture is common and vulnerable to extreme weather.
• Conflict and Insecurity: In the North East and Middle Belt, conflict has disrupted agricultural activities and supply chains, leading to reduced productivity and increased losses.
• Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate transportation networks, storage facilities, and refrigeration systems lead to significant post-harvest losses.
• Market Fragmentation and Bureaucracy: Legal and customs challenges hinder the efficient movement of food, increasing losses and costs.
• Weak Research and Extension Services: Limited access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and technologies reduces productivity and increases losses.

Environmental and Economic Impacts

• GHG Emissions: FLW accounts for 5% of Nigeria's greenhouse gas emissions.
• Land Use: It uses 31% of total land in the country.
• Economic Losses: The annual economic loss from FLW is estimated at USD 9.1 billion.
• Climate Resilience: Reducing FLW can serve as a buffer against climate change impacts, ensuring food availability in times of crisis.

Conclusion

The Nigerian food system is at a critical juncture. As the population grows and urbanization accelerates, the need for efficient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems becomes more urgent. Reducing food loss and waste is a key strategy to improve food security, rural welfare, and climate resilience, while also supporting economic diversification and export potential. A multi-faceted approach, including policy reform, infrastructure development, and technological innovation, is essential to achieving these goals.