AbdulLateef Olaosebikan is the co-founder of NaFarm Foods. He is a social entrepreneur who is passionate about the economic development and well being of people across Africa.

He spoke about how his organisation’s solution for preventing post-harvest losses and empowering farmers led to winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize, one of the most prestigious sustainability awards in the world. In this interview, he also explained how the $1 million prize money the firm won, will have a positive impact on agriculture in Nigeria.

What innovation did NaFarm Foods developed to address food spoilage and post-harvest losses?

We developed a hybrid solar food dryer to tackle the critical issue of food spoilage and post-harvest losses. Combining solar heat and electricity generated from solar panels, the solution ensures efficient, all-weather drying of food, even during rainy or cloudy days. For many years, commercial farmers and their subsistence counterparts in our community and surrounding areas have faced significant challenges in preserving their crops after harvest. Often, over 65 per cent of crops are spoiled during harvest season, with losses sometimes surpassing 50 per cent. This leaves farmers frustrated after their hard work. The lack of sustainable food preservation methods in this part of the world has contributed to these problems. The consequences of such losses include food scarcity and rising food prices, among other challenges. To support our community and address these challenges, we designed the hybrid solar food dryer, and we are happy to see the impact it is creating.

How does the Hybrid Solar Food Dryer contribute to food security and rural economic empowerment in Nigeria?

The impact of our hybrid solar food dryers has been truly transformative, particularly given the difficult conditions our community faced in the past. Living standards were low, food scarcity was widespread, and accessing fresh, healthy produce was a constant challenge. Today, thanks to NaFarm’s hybrid solar food dryers, many local farmers are thriving. They’ve seen significant improvements in their crop yields and are now earning substantially more. Profits have increased, and food preservation has become far more efficient. As a result, fresh and well-preserved produce is now readily available throughout the community. Most importantly, food has become more affordable, enabling more families to enjoy nutritious meals every day.

What is the capacity of the Hybrid Solar Food Dryer, and how does it ensure efficient drying even during rainy or cloudy days?

The hybrid solar food dryer has a capacity of 500 kg per unit, making it well-suited for preserving food in Kaduna and across many areas in northern Nigeria. One of the key benefits of our food dryer is its ability to maintain the nutritional quality of food during preservation while keeping energy costs low, making it cost-effective for farmers. Additionally, our dryers are designed for all weather conditions, ensuring that food is efficiently preserved and dried, even during rainy or cloudy days.

How has the Hybrid Solar Food Dryer benefited Nigerian farmers, and how many farmers have been impacted so far?

The impact of the hybrid solar food dryer has been revolutionary, showcasing its viability in addressing one of the most common challenges faced by farmers in Nigeria. Over 80 communities across six states are already benefiting from this solution, which has helped more than 65,000 farmers preserve their crops and reduce post-harvest losses. Our innovation is contributing to promoting food security and enabling rural economic empowerment.

What are the environmental benefits of the Hybrid Solar Food Dryer, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels?

The Hybrid Solar Food Dryer is revolutionising food preservation by minimising spoilage, cutting greenhouse gas emissions from food waste, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. With a lifetime operating cost of less than 1 cent per 100 litres, the dryers offer an affordable and practical solution for small holder farmers and food processors. By 2030, NaFarm Foods aims to support two million farmers and cut carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tonnes each year.

How does NaFarm Foods plan to scale its operations and expand its impact using the US $1 million Zayed Sustainability Prize fund?

At Nafarm Foods, we have ambitious plans, and the $1 million Prize fund will enable us to scale our operations by manufacturing and distributing 100,000 dryers across Nigeria and West Africa. In addition, we plan to expand our training programmes to equip an additional 25,000 women and youth with skills for entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, we aim to establish regional distribution hubs and deploy advanced cluster mapping systems to enhance technology access and improve the marketability of agricultural produce.