Identifying Opportunities to Minimize Losses in Nigeria’s Tomato Production
Nigeria is one of the world’s largest producers of tomatoes, with a large population that consumes tomatoes on a daily basis, the nation consumes more than is produced. Coupled with the huge loss that occurs during and after the harvesting of the fragile fruit, the country suffered an estimated 40% of tomato loss. This deficit caused the country to greatly rely on imports to satisfy demand, with $1 billion spent yearly to import tomato paste, while 75 percent of the local harvest goes to waste, mainly post-harvest.
Client & Partner: rockefeller foundation & pyxera global
Location: lagos, kano, port harcourt, Nigeria
Within post harvest practices, the handling technologies, also known as raffia baskets, account for much of this loss. In working with The Rockefeller Foundation, we were asked to conduct research into Post-Harvest Loss (PHL) in the country’s tomato value chain, specifically looking at how this loss happens while the fragile fruits are handled and transported in the baskets, on their post-harvest journey from farm to market.
After 2 and a half months, 6 states, countless farms and open markets. We compiled data obtained from hours of field work and synthesis, submitted a robust report containing rich data, recommendations, and insights to stakeholders.Today, partly due to efforts from the initiative, tomato production has increased to about 2.3 million tonnes, from 1.7 million tonnes prior to the initiative.
Designing new ways of farming and harvesting tomatoes
We immersed ourselves in the farms, homes and communities of about 300 farmers, basket weavers, and stakeholders, using methods like in-situ observation, contextual inquiries and community engagement discussions. We focused not only on the journey of the tomatoes, but that of the baskets as well, from ‘market’- where the baskets are built, sold and purchased, to ‘farms’- and then to the tomato markets, where the produce is sold, and then to disintegration (or recycling in some cases).
We tested different forms and shapes using paper explorations to more high fidelity prototypes using materials like raffia, the local ‘geza’, and bamboo. Our testing with farmers and basket makers highlighted their affinities and trust levels to new technologies.
To substantiate our findings from qualitative research, we carried out quantitative research with close to 300 male and female tomato farmers from various Local Government Areas in the country’s top tomato producing locale. In doing this, we discovered patterns in the farmers’ use of the current baskets, their level of affinity to new technology, as well as their expectations of price and value.
Our report held rich and vivid data, discoveries, recommendations and insights recorded and delivered to the Rockefeller Foundation. This was designed to inform and equip stakeholders’ actions, in the most seamless way, towards successfully handling tomatoes post-harvest.
Decearsing Post-Harvest Loss Over the Years
As of 2020, tomato production has increased from about 1.7 million tons to 2.3 million tons, thanks to this initiative, as well as many ongoing efforts of others across the nation. Though national demand stands at about 3 million tons, the improvement over the years and the ongoing efforts being implemented continue to push towards growth.
Methods & Activities
Context inquiry
Stakeholder mapping
In-situ observation research
Community engagement sessions
Quantitative research
Prototyping
Stakeholder report building
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