Cold Chain Sector Key To Nigeria’s Food Security – OTACCWA President

OTACCWA President, Mr Alexander Isong, said this at the ongoing seventh West Africa Cold Chain Summit and Exhibition and 10th Agrofood and Plastprintpack Fair, on Tuesday, in Lagos.

In his welcome address, Isong enjoined foreign investors to tap into the immense opportunities in the Nigerian agriculture ecosystem.

“Today, we welcome you to the 10th Agrofood and Plastprintpack Fair and the seventh West Africa Cold Chain Summit and Exhibition.

“OTACCWA is very key to what is happening in the country presently because the government is seeking to establish food security in Nigeria.

“And we all know that without cold chain there will be no food security. The cold chain sector plays an important role in achieving food security.

“Nigeria produces approximately to 55 million tonnes of food annually, where 40 per cent of this is lost to poor cold chain infrastructure.

“This translates to an economic loss of N3.5 trillion, which is about a $1billion which is actually a big market for company or government to key into the Nigerian food systems and make a lot of money and we hope you take advantage of this.

“As we welcome you to this exhibition, we want you to look towards investing in Nigeria,” Isong said.

He said the exhibition would bring quality and value to the nation’s economy.

“We believe that with this exhibition in collaboration with our partners, supporters and sponsors, they will be glad that we are bringing quality and value to the Nigeria ecosystem and the economy.

“Over 30 per cent of beef and dairy produced locally spoil before reaching the consumer.

This accounts for another N200 billion down the drain which is another $480 million, this showcases a lot of opportunities in the Nigerian agriculture sector.

“Currently in Nigeria, we are big on certification because without certification, we cannot trade our agro produce outside the country.

“We have foreign partners here who are looking to do trade with Nigeria, and then, basically we cannot trade with them because we do not meet certification requirements.

“But the Federal Government of Nigeria is alive to that, and the President is looking at that.

“So, we are applying all these things to our markets and to our businesses, and hope that when next we bring our agro produce to our partner countries, they will be accepted,” Isong said.