Food Security: Firm moves to curb post-harvest waste in Enugu with RAC

To minimise post-harvest waste in communities in Enugu State, Manamuz Electric Ltd has commissioned the Refrigerated Aggregation Centre (RAC) in Aguobu Iwollo Community, Ezeagu Local Council of the state.

The project, which was executed through the Nigeria Offgrid Energy Challenge Blended Finance Award by the U.S. African Development Foundation and All On Partnerships for Energy Access, will benefit smallholder farmers, who produce 80 per cent of food in the area yet face numerous challenges such as access to affordable clean energy, smart agro mechanisations and effective cold-chain infrastructure networks from the first mile.

According to the firm, the excess steady electricity from the infrastructure would unlock immense value, providing reliable support for agricultural endeavours in Aguobu Iwollo farm settlements and Ezeagu Local Council agrarian communities.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the Enugu State Polytechnic (ESPOLY), Aguobu-Iwollo campus, showcased the collaborative efforts of diverse stakeholders and sectors of the economy.

The event was graced by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Patrick Nwabueze Ubru; local and international partners, and cross-sectoral stakeholders.

Speaking, Mbah said the commissioning ceremony not only celebrates the completion of a remarkable project but also heralds a new era of Special Agro Processing Zones (SAPZ) for perishable food.

He pointed out that the facility would serve over 1500 horticulture farmers in Ezeagu Local Council of the state yearly, significantly contributing to food security and economic empowerment in the area.

The CEO of Manamuz Electric, Uzochukwu Mbamalu, highlighted the nexus between renewable energy, agriculture and education, reiterating the company’s commitment to scaling up the project to benefit more communities in Enugu State through collaboration and partnerships.

He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to developing sustainable infrastructure for agriculture, leveraging modern technology at the energy-agriculture nexus, and addressing food insecurity within Nigeria’s food system.

In his remarks, the U.S. Consul General, Will Stevens, emphasised Nigeria’s significant annual loss of $9 billion due to post-harvest waste, underlining the critical need for adequate cold storage, agro-processing and transportation infrastructure.

The Rector of ESPOLY, Dr. Ambruce Nwankwo, expressed delight with the school’s partnership with the facility, saying it would enhance educational initiatives.

The Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke, applauded the innovation, expressing satisfaction with the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives at the Energy-Agriculture-Education Nexus.

The Senior Personal Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Mike Ogbuekwe, highlighted strategic strides made with Ezeagu pepper smallholder farmers, outlining plans to leverage the RAC facility to efficiently distribute harvests to fresh food off-takers.

Other speakers at the event from Husk Power Systems, All On Partnerships for Energy Access, Mandela Washington Association of Nigeria, Rocky Mountain Institute, Aguobu Iwollo Town Union (the host community), Ezedike (Ezeagu Farmers) Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Enugu State Ministry for Human Capital Development and Poverty Eradication, Ecozen Solution India, and managing directors of various agro-related businesses, all expressed their support and commitment to the project.

Their speeches highlighted the collaborative spirit, innovation and dedication driving the success of the RAC project.

The President of Ezedike (Ezeagu farmers) Multipurpose Cooperatives Society, Charles Aliozo, in his vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to God Almighty, the attendees, partners and all stakeholders for their invaluable contributions and support towards the successful completion of the project.

He specifically acknowledged the pivotal role of the governor “in creating an enabling ecosystem for ‘Ndi Enugu’ for both local and international business players to join him in driving Enugu State towards a socio-economic and environmentally sustainable future.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the ribbon by the governor and a brief tour of the RAC facility.