1 day Ago By Oluseyi Taiwo-Oguntuase
The collaborative efforts of Ecotutu, a firm renowned for its expertise in cold chain solutions, the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the HortiNigeria programme is expected to enhance the preservation and storage of fresh produce and strengthen the country’s horticultural sector. The efforts bring about the resuscitation of a 30-metric tonnes cold storage facility in Ibadan which has been moribund for years which stakeholders have described as a significant milestone and a critical step in strengthening Nigeria’s horticultural value chain. The project which was financed majorly by NIHORT, unveiled at the just concluded HortiFair, held at the NIHORT, Ibadan, Oyo State, served as a powerful demonstration of HortiNigeria’s potential impact on the horticulture sector.
Babajide Oluwase, the Chief Executive Officer at Ecotutu, while speaking at the unveiling said that the project proves how collaboration can drive transformative change in Nigeria’s food system. He said that Ecotutu is proud to lead the charge in scaling such sustainable cold chain solutions nationwide, combining research, funding, and innovation to cut post-harvest losses, boost farmer incomes, and secure Nigeria’s future food security.” “Ecotutu is proud to lead the charge in scaling such sustainable cold chain solutions nationwide, combining research, funding, and innovation to cut post-harvest losses, boost farmer incomes, and secure Nigeria’s future food security,” he said.
Adejoke Nofiu, Head of Operations at Ecotutu said that the launch of the revived cold room represents a critical step in strengthening Nigeria’s horticultural value chain. According to her, “By providing reliable cold storage, we are empowering farmers to reduce waste, increase their income, and contribute to food security,” she said. She said that the restoration will significantly extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural products, reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access for Nigerian farmers, said by providing reliable cold storage.
Professor Mohammed Attanda, the Executive Director of NIHORT while speaking said that the resuscitation of this facility, showcased during the Hortifair 2025, underscores the significance of partnership and collaboration in research and development. He expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, IFDC, and Ecotutu for their unrelenting support in ensuring improvements in the institute’s capacity to serve horticultural value chain stakeholders. Professor Attanda, said that the impact of the project will be far-reaching in the sense that it will reduce post-harvest losses and increase production capacity and income for smallholder farmers, adding that the ability to store produce for a longer period will also aid research activities with respect to seed viability and shelf life of horticultural produce.
Olabisi Ilebani, Innovation & Regional Diversification Lead, HortiNigeria, said that the cold storage facility upgrade improves horticultural storage, reduces post-harvest losses, and boosts food security. He said that the revived cold room, now an indispensable feature of NIHORT’s infrastructure, is expected to impact local farmers, stressing that it will enable them to store their produce under optimal conditions and access better market prices. “This activity aligns with our broader efforts at Ecotutu to improve food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria and collaborations between the government, and development programs are poised to expand this initiative across the country,” he added.
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