In the lush, fertile landscapes of Cross River State, Nigeria, a silent revolution has been taking root. The World Bank’s Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project, which ran from 2017 to 2023, has been making waves in the agricultural sector, and a recent study published in *Discover Food* has shed light on its significant impacts.
The study, led by Gabriel Inakefe Inakefe from the Department of Public Administration at the University of Calabar, evaluated the effectiveness of APPEALS in enhancing the storability and marketability of agricultural produce. The project established aggregation and cottage processing centres and trained farmers on post-harvest management systems, all in response to lessons learned from previous food crises.
The findings are promising. By establishing these centres and providing post-harvest management systems, APPEALS significantly improved the storability and marketability of agro-products by agribusinesses. The study found that these interventions contributed to a 12.4% improvement in storability and a 6.2% improvement in marketability. “The roles of stakeholders were pivotal in shaping these outcomes,” Inakefe noted, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and clear roles in achieving successful project outcomes.
The commercial impacts of these findings are substantial. Improved storability means that farmers and agribusinesses can reduce post-harvest losses, which are estimated to be up to 50% for some crops in Nigeria. This translates to increased income for farmers and more stable supplies for markets. Enhanced marketability, on the other hand, opens up new opportunities for agribusinesses to reach wider markets, both locally and internationally.
The study also highlights the importance of integrating automation and ICT in food packaging and storage. As Inakefe pointed out, “Expanding food safety training and integrating technology can further enhance food security and sustainability.” This could pave the way for future developments in the field, such as smart storage solutions and digital marketplaces for agricultural produce.
The study’s recommendations also underscore the need for clarity in stakeholders’ roles to foster better synergy and collaboration. This could lead to more effective policy outcomes and improved project implementation in the future.
As the agricultural sector continues to evolve, the lessons learned from the APPEALS project and this study could shape future developments. By focusing on post-harvest management, stakeholder collaboration, and technological integration, the sector can move towards greater productivity, sustainability, and food security. The study, published in *Discover Food* and led by Gabriel Inakefe Inakefe from the University of Calabar, serves as a beacon, guiding the way forward in the quest for agricultural development and food security.