Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have secured approximately $2.1 million in funding from the United Nations to support an artificial intelligence-driven project to reduce post-harvest food losses and improve food security in Nigeria.
The funding will support the HARVIST project, a collaborative initiative involving a consortium of 10 organisations across the United Kingdom and Nigeria that seeks to address the significant challenges smallholder farmers face in storing and distributing perishable produce.
Agriculture remains Nigeria’s largest economic sector, yet it continues to suffer from high levels of food waste. It is estimated that a significant proportion of produce is lost after harvest due to unreliable electricity supply, inadequate storage facilities, and weak supply chain infrastructure. These challenges have contributed to persistent poverty among rural farming communities.
The HARVIST project aims to tackle these issues by combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and renewable energy technology. At the centre of the initiative is an upgraded solar-powered cooling system, known as So-Cool, developed in partnership with Nigerian technology firm Kamim Technologies.
The system is designed to provide off-grid cold storage facilities near farming communities, helping preserve perishable crops such as fruits and vegetables. It is also linked to a digital platform that uses machine learning to offer price guidance, enabling farmers to better time and target their sales to bulk buyers.
According to the University of Hertfordshire, the project will also use data-driven forecasting tools to optimise storage conditions, predict demand, and improve overall supply chain efficiency. Researchers believe this could significantly reduce post-harvest losses while increasing income stability for smallholder farmers.
Professor Hafiz Alaka, Associate Dean for Research and Enterprise at the University and Director of its Big Data Tech and Innovation Lab, led the project. He said unreliable electricity remains a major barrier to agricultural productivity in Nigeria, adding that the initiative was designed to offer a cleaner, more cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel-based systems.
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He noted that a large proportion of Nigeria’s agricultural produce is never sold due to spoilage, describing the situation as both economically inefficient and socially unsustainable. He added that the project aims to “level the playing field” for farmers by improving access to storage, markets, and real-time pricing information.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit more than 10,000 smallholder farmers, including women and young people, with plans to expand the deployment of additional cooling hubs over time. The UN funding will support the project through to 2028, with a view to scaling successful outcomes more widely across Nigeria and potentially other regions facing similar challenges.
The University said the project reflects its commitment to applied research addressing real-world challenges, particularly in food security, sustainability, and climate resilience.
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