News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Reports by Aisha Gambo

In efforts towards reducing food waste in Nigeria,a private company launched a 100-ton solar-powered, walk-in cold room for food storage and preservation in Zaria, Kaduna State on Wednesday.

The company launched the facility at Dan Magaji Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Market and Aggregation Centre, Zaria.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu said the facility would serve the tomato triangle of Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states.

“When we made our research on places that produce fresh fruits and vegetables, Zaria came top on the list; we are going to ensure tomato business is more profitable.

“With this facility, you can store your tomatoes for three months without spoilage and it has the capacity to store 5,000 crates daily.

“We also have refrigerated trucks ready to convey fresh fruits and vegetables to any part of Nigeria,’’ he said.

According to him, the 100-ton cold room is the first of its kind for the preservation of perishable foods in the cold chain industry in West Africa.

He said the company also trains smallholder farmers, retailers and wholesalers on skills and knowledge about post-harvest management of perishable foods.

Meanwhile, the Country Director Heifer international company, Mr Rufus Idris said it was working with the ColdHub to stop post-harvest losses.

He enjoined women in particular to exploit the innovation and technology provided to improve their trades.

“Our idea is to end hunger and poverty in Nigeria and Zaria is the tomato hub situated at the triangle of tomato production areas.

“Our aim is that by 2030 we would have helped two million farmers in Nigeria and households to close their living income gaps,’’ he said.

In a goodwill message, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu-Bamalli commended the innovation saying it would go a long way to reduce losses of tomato and other perishable foods.

The emir, represented by Sarkin Yaki Zazzau, Alhaji Rilwanu Yahya-Pate urged farmers to embrace the innovation and use it effectively to boost their farming business.

He urged government to provide farmers with agricultural inputs which would motivate them to produce more food for the state and for the country at large.

Some of the farmers and traders present commended the company while expressing hope for better yield and sale of fresh produce.

Chairman, Tomato Dealers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Rabiu Hussaini said the cold room was a prayer answered as farmers and dealers of tomatoes had been incurring huge losses.

He assured the company of high patronage by tomato farmers and dealers.

On his part, Malam Umar Kasimu, a trader urged the company to charge affordable rates for the storage of produce so as to encourage many farmers to patronise it. (NAN)

QUIZZES

This quiz knows how much you know about Nigerians in Guinness Book of World Records
Which presidential candidate matches your personality?
QUIZ: Only genuises can score 10/10 on this quiz
QUIZ: If you score less than 8 on this test, you shouldn't be having sex
Take this quiz and we'll rate your cooking skills over 100
QUIZ: How much money do you deserve as giveaway?
QUIZ: How tired of adulting are you on a scale of 0-100?
Throwback Thursday: Can you score 8/8 on this "Acrimony" quiz?
QUIZ: Only certified boobs men can score 7/7 on this quiz
QUIZ: Only people who love big butts can score 9/10 on this quiz
QUIZ: We challenge you to score 100% on this human anatomy trivia
Quiz: How many classic Nollywood films can you recognize from posters and pictures?
Quiz: Can we guess how freaky you are on a scale of 0-100?
QUIZ: Take this test only if you have positive vibes
QUIZ: Find out which church department fits you based on personality
QUIZ: Take this sexy test and we will guess your body count
Quiz: Do you know the languages spoken in these African countries?
QUIZ: Can you correctly answer 9/10 of these trick questions?
QUIZ: Only real gospel music lovers can score a perfect 10 on this lyrics test
QUIZ: Find out if your inner child is still alive
QUIZ: Find out which fruit matches your personality most
QUIZ: Score 10 on this quiz to prove that your vocabulary is solid
Quiz: Only genuine Nollywood fans will score 8/8 on this "Blood Sisters" quiz
QUIZ: Can you crush this secondary school antonyms test?
Quiz: Let's quickly guess if your opposite-sex bestie has a crush on you
Quiz: Where will you be when rapture takes place?
Quiz: Only good kissers are allowed to take this quiz
QUIZ: Can you score a perfect 10 on this "Ozark" test?
QUIZ: This food quiz will show whether your appetite is weird or normal
QUIZ: We dare you to score 100% in this Banky W & Adesua quiz
QUIZ: Let's quickly guess how shy you are on a scale of 0-100
QUIZ: Can you score big on this Naija music remix quiz?
QUIZ: How many sitcoms can you recognize just by characters?
Quiz: Can you recognize these 2021 hit songs by lyrics?
Quiz: Only 'Owambe' lovers will score 8/8 on this Naija party quiz
QUIZ: Do you know the lead actors in these popular Nigerian movies?
Quiz: Find out what kind sexual energy you have
QUIZ: We dare you to score 10/10 on this 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' quiz
QUIZ: Can you score 100% on this simple healthy food quiz?
QUIZ: Can we guess how stubborn you are?
QUIZ: We dare you to get a perfect score on this easy riddles test
Quiz: Can we quickly guess how mischievous you are?
QUIZ: Let's quickly guess what's most annoying about you
Quiz: How jealous are you on a scale of 0-100?
Quiz: Take this quiz to find out how lit your sex life will be this year
Quiz: Can we quickly guess if you'll find love in 2022?
QUIZ: Play this scenario game to determine how patient you are
QUIZ: Play this 'Never Have I' game to find out how nasty you really are
Can you name the FIFA Golden Ball winner in each World Cup?
QUIZ: We dare you to score 100% on this music awards quiz
Quiz: Find out what kind of Libido you have in this sexy test
QUIZ: Can you name the winners of the Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) for each season?
QUIZ: We dare you to score 70% on this Nigerian states slogan quiz
Quiz: Can we quickly guess your love language?
QUIZ: Answer these questions to find out what type of friend you are
Quiz: Take this quiz to find out how horny you are
Quiz: When will you marry?
QUIZ: Can we quickly guess what your spec is?
QUIZ: Can you survive this "Squid Game" test?
QUIZ: Can you get a perfect score on this 'Antonyms & Synonyms' test for kids?
Quiz: Can you score 15 in this state & capital quiz?
QUIZ: Find out which country you should relocate to
QUIZ: Can you smash this "Sex Education" test?
QUIZ: How much of a party animal are you?
QUIZ: Find out what type of relationship you have with money
Will you still meet your soulmate in 2021? Take this quiz to find out
Quiz: We totally dare you to score 7/7 on this Tems quiz
QUIZ: Can you smash this King Of Boys movie test?
Quiz: Can you score 100% in this Naija slang quiz?
QUIZ: Can you score 8/10 on this Nigerian adverts quiz?
QUIZ: Can you score 7/8 on this 'Made In Lagos' test?
Quiz: Score 6/8 to prove that you're a true Lagosian
Quiz: Only people with good vibes can score 7 on this party songs quiz
QUIZ: Are you promiscuous, faithful, or somewhere in between?
QUIZ: Let's test how shy you really are