Nearly half of all fresh produce spoils before it even reaches consumers, highlighting a critical opportunity to integrate renewable energy into agriculture to enhance resilience, attract investment, and establish national leadership.
In many developed regions, the concept of “food waste” is often limited to leftovers on a plate. Supermarkets are well-stocked, refrigerators maintain consistent cold temperatures, and farmers’ markets overflow with fresh goods. In these environments, few consider whether refrigeration systems will function properly or if produce will remain fresh upon arrival. The infrastructure supporting this seamless supply chain operates so reliably that it often goes unnoticed.
Conversely, in Nigeria, the food supply chain is far more vulnerable. A significant portion of food loss happens well before it reaches consumers. Crops deteriorate in fields, markets, and transport vehicles due to erratic electricity supply and insufficient storage and preservation facilities. These persistent losses contribute to the hardships faced by farmers, widespread hunger, and escalating food insecurity nationwide. Ironically, the intense sunlight that accelerates spoilage could instead be harnessed as a renewable energy source to preserve food. Proper utilization of this abundant resource could reduce hunger, empower farmers, and alleviate food insecurity across Nigeria.
Understanding the magnitude of the problem
Research indicates that between 40% and 50% of fresh fruits and vegetables in Nigeria never reach the market. This means that nearly half of the harvest-four or five out of every ten bags-goes to waste during harvesting, transportation, or storage. The produce that does reach consumers often carries inflated prices, not due to scarcity, but because farmers and traders pass on the high costs of diesel fuel used to run generators, alongside losses from spoiled goods. This cycle of waste inflates food prices, forcing families to pay more while food decays, leaving millions hungry simply because they cannot afford available produce. The World Food Programme estimates that over 30 million Nigerians suffer from severe food insecurity, with unreliable energy systems playing a significant role.
These figures represent more than just data-they reflect real-life struggles: a mother negotiating for damaged vegetables at the market, a farmer watching half his crop spoil before sale, and a child going to bed hungry while food rots nearby. A routine market visit becomes uncertain; by midday, produce may already be wilting under the sun. Will prices drop to reflect the diminished quality, or will they rise further? These everyday concerns underscore a fundamental truth: without dependable power, food abundance cannot be sustained. Reliable energy is the cornerstone of resolving Nigeria’s food crisis.
Harnessing agro-renewables as a solution
There is a promising path forward through the application of clean energy directly to agricultural processes-what can be termed agro-renewables. The very sunlight that hastens crop spoilage can be transformed into the energy that preserves it. Examples include solar-powered cold storage units, grain dryers, irrigation pumps, and food processing equipment. These technologies are already in use and demonstrate significant potential; the challenge lies in scaling their adoption.
Solar-powered cold storage facilities in Nigerian markets have begun to show tangible benefits. Farmers who previously had to sell produce quickly at a loss can now store their goods overnight and sell them the following day, often doubling their earnings while drastically reducing spoilage. Similarly, commercial agro-processors incorporating solar energy reduce their dependence on costly diesel generators, stabilizing production and improving profit margins by minimizing fuel expenses and downtime.
Solar mini-grids also contribute significantly. While they provide electricity to households, their most substantial impact is on “productive users” such as farmers, processors, and retailers, who generate approximately 80% of mini-grid revenue. These users report increased productivity, higher profits, and improved quality of life. Recognizing this, the government’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) launched the DARES program to expand renewable mini-grids nationwide, emphasizing productive use. If pursued ambitiously, initiatives like DARES could establish agro-renewables as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s food security strategy.
The evidence is compelling: integrating renewable energy into food systems extends the shelf life of crops, boosts farmers’ incomes, improves nutrition, and fosters thriving communities.
The critical role of policy
Breaking this cycle requires decisive leadership and policy coherence. Nigeria has already developed frameworks such as the Energy Transition Plan, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy, and the Climate Change Act. However, these policies often operate in silos, with limited integration between energy and food security objectives.
The next imperative is to align these policies so that renewable energy investments simultaneously strengthen agricultural productivity and safeguard the nation’s food supply. For farmers and market vendors, this alignment could translate into longer-lasting harvests, fairer food prices, and families no longer facing hunger while food spoils nearby.
The success of the REA’s DARES program illustrates that with clear incentives and effective delivery, renewable energy projects can scale to reach underserved communities. With strategic policy support, agro-renewables can become embedded within Nigeria’s broader development agenda.
Across Africa and Asia, countries are already demonstrating how renewable energy can fortify food systems and attract substantial investment. Nigeria, endowed with fertile land, a hardworking agricultural workforce, and abundant sunlight, is well-positioned not only to follow these examples but to emerge as a leader.
Nigeria’s opportunity to lead the way
True leadership at this juncture means integrating agro-renewables into both the Food Security Agenda and the Energy Transition Plan, channeling funding toward cold storage, irrigation, and processing technologies where they can have the greatest impact. It also requires prioritizing women, who constitute between 60% and 79% of Nigeria’s agricultural labor force but often face barriers to land ownership, credit access, and technology adoption. Ensuring women have equal access to training, financing, and renewable-powered solutions will enhance productivity and strengthen food security for entire communities.
This vision aligns with the mission of Elektron Renewables, which aspires to be a leading provider of agro-allied solutions aimed at reducing food insecurity and fostering economic growth. By directly linking energy to food systems, Nigeria can showcase a model of climate-smart development. With COP30 approaching, the country has a prime opportunity to present its Energy Transition Plan as a blueprint for resilient, food-secure communities powered by clean energy. This approach would not only benefit Nigerians domestically but also position Nigeria as a continental leader in demonstrating how climate action can drive sustainable development.
A collective call to action
While agro-renewables are not a cure-all, they represent some of the most practical and scalable tools available to combat hunger, increase incomes, and reduce carbon emissions. The technology is ready; the challenge lies in connecting stakeholders, scaling solutions, and ensuring accessibility where they are most needed.
Government bodies can harmonize food and energy policies and establish clear incentives. Investors can channel capital into value-chain infrastructure that offers strong social and financial returns. Communities can be empowered through training, affordable financing, and inclusive programs that place smallholder farmers and women at the forefront of progress.
Through these combined efforts, Nigeria can become a nation where farmers prosper, families enjoy nutritious meals, and the sun transforms from a threat into a powerful ally.