ColdHubs in collaboration with Heifer International has deployed a 100-tons cold room at Farin-Gada Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Market, Jos, Plateau State to boost agribusiness for producers and marketers of agricultural products in the state.
The official commissioning of the 100-tons ColdHubs was held on Thursday, Ist February, 2024 in Jos with relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector of the state fully represented at the event.
ColdHubs was one of the winners of the AYuTe Africa Challenge 2021 West African organized by Heifer International. The inaugural AYuTe Africa Challenge, is an initiative of Heifer Africa. The AYuTe Africa Challenge awards cash grants to support promising young agritech innovators across Africa who are using technology to reimagine farming and food production across the continent.
AYuTe is committed to empowering young African innovators to transform the agricultural landscape, catalyzing ground-up innovation from young Africans, and fostering a future where agriculture is a desirable career.
Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, Chief Executive Officer of Coldhubs while citing lack of adequate storage facilities as a major challenge confronting farmers and sellers of fresh produce in the country compared current figures of tomato production against its data on annual losses to buttress the importance of the ColdHubs.
"According to the National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT), Nigeria’s current tomato production is currently at 2.3 metric tonnes as against 2.8 metric tonnes in 2021.
"NIHORT estimates that about 40 percent of the fruit does not make its way to the end user owing to post-harvest losses.
"The ColdHubs ecosystem which primarily targets the tomato value chain will not only provide refrigeration solutions for tomato and other perishable food produce but also build the capacity of traders and farmers.
"So as to engage in improved storage practices using crates and other contemporary packaging" he said
Ikegwuonu while commending Heifer for its support to the realization of such feats in, said Heifer’s support had proven to be the catalyst for food storage solution in the country.
He added that cost of access or affordability of the storage facility will be very minimal as compared with the losses recorded due to lack of storage for the perishable products.
“Heifer International has supported us to deploy ten (10) ColdHubs across Nigeria, eight out of these are 3-tonne capacity Hubs while two out of the ten are 100-tonne capacity Hubs”.
"With this support,we are expanding our affordable, pay-as-you-go refrigeration option and making it available right in the middle of local markets and farm clusters" he said.
Similarly Mr Lekan Tobe, Interim Country Director of Heifer Nigeria who was represented by Heifer Nigeria’s Communications Manager, Mr Chuba Ezeigwe, implored young entrepreneurs across Africa to develop homegrown solutions to support farmers across the continent.
Adding that Heifer international seeks to encourage young people develop keen interest in the agricultural sector.
“We want to do our part to help young innovators deploy transformative agri-tech innovations that will boost farming and food production and provide smallholder farmers with the support they require to grow a sustainable, profitable business.
“We are in Jos to launch an innovative 100-tons capacity solar-powered cold room that will guarantee 24/7 refrigeration of tomatoes and other perishable commodities.
"This Hub will guarantee sustainable income for farmers and traders by reducing the pressure on the sellers to sell soon after harvest because they have no affordable ways of keeping their produce fresh.
"Having completed the design, installation and commissioning of these 100% solar-powered, walk-in cold rooms known as "ColdHubs" in farm clusters and outdoor food markets.
"ColdHubs will now ensure efficient non-stop operationalization of these facilities while Heifer International continues to provide monitoring and support" he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Plateau State, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Mrs Esther Pwaspo, commended ColdHubs and Heifer International for the feat saying it is a welcome development for the state.
She called on the management of ColdHubs Limited, to replicate the same in other vegetable markets scattered across the state.
Mr Babawo Suleiman, Vice Chairman of the Farin-Gada Tomato Market said it is an answer to the cry of farmers and sellers of vegetables in the state, he commended ColdHubs Limited and Heifer International for their effort in seeing that this is achieved in the state.