At the ABAT CBD Market in Ibeju-Lekki, ColdHubs, an agricultural technology storage solution sponsored by Heifer International, has opened its solar-powered facility for smallholder farmers and vendors of perishable farm produce.

This was announced by the agritech company at the launch event on Tuesday in Lagos, which was attended by farmers, traders, and government representatives.

Rufus Idris, the country director for Heifer International in Nigeria, outlined how the ColdHubs innovation would aid Nigeria in achieving food security and reducing hunger.

Idris pointed out that young entrepreneurs in Africa have the potential to create locally produced solutions that would aid and motivate youngsters to take a keen interest in the agricultural industry.

He claims that Heifer International thinks that one way to end hunger and poverty is to intervene in agriculture by minimizing farmers’ post-harvest losses and relieving traders of the pressure to sell their goods below cost.

“We want to do our part to support smallholder farmers in growing a sustainable, successful business by assisting young innovators in deploying tech innovations that will increase farming and food production.”

The founder and CEO of ColdHubs, Mr. Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, also spoke at the ceremony. He said, “We are inspired by the need to provide storage solutions for smallholder farmers who have no way to keep their produce fresh, forcing them to sell it soon after harvest. We are extending our low-cost, pay-as-you-go refrigeration option and making it accessible right in the middle of local markets with assistance from Heifer International.

Furthermore, he said, “Post-harvest loss is huge in Nigeria, but thanks to ColdHubs’ innovation, we have gotten farm produce production and processing right.”