Across Nigeria, millions of farmers battle poor soil, unpredictable weather and rising operational costs every planting season. Yet, the greatest threat to their livelihood is not found on the farm, but after harvest — in storage losses, market inefficiencies and inaccessible processing systems.
This challenge fuels post-harvest losses affecting more than 33 million smallholder farmers who produce up to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s food, yet lose as much as 40 per cent of their harvest before it reaches a buyer. Across Africa, the cost of these losses exceeds $48 billion annually.
For Chigozie Ubanagu, Founder of HarvestCalc, the issue hits home.
“This story is no longer just about my parents who are farmers, it reflects the lived reality of more than 33 million smallholder farmers across Nigeria. Farmers who produce up to 70 percent of the nation’s food yet lose as much as 40 percent of their harvest every year before it ever reaches a buyer,” he said.
The impact extends beyond waste, affecting national food supply and economic stability. According to Ubanagu, soil degradation alone reduces yield by 20 to 30 per cent, while more than 85 per cent of farmers lack access to reliable market data, scientific testing or modern processing pathways.
A System Built to End Waste
Ubanagu said HarvestCalc was created “to close these gaps permanently.” The innovation supports stakeholders across the agricultural value chain, from farmers to researchers, processors and the market.
“Today we are building the first agricultural intelligence ecosystem designed specifically for Africa, linking farmers, processors, researchers and markets through real-time data, soil science and transparent off-take systems,” he explained.
The system is designed to convert what is usually lost into measurable value.
“What began as a personal story has grown into a scalable model with national adoption potential and global relevance,” he said.
A Growing Movement With Measurable Impact
Every new dataset collected, every farmer onboarded and every partnership signed brings the mission closer to unlocking billions in agricultural value.
“Every data set we collect, every farmer we onboard, every partnership we sign brings us closer to unlocking billions in agricultural value that has remained trapped for generations,” Ubanagu stated.
He noted that the goal is not merely to help farmers survive, but ensure they become competitive contributors to a modern economy.
“We are not just helping farmers survive, we are positioning them to compete,” he added.
Technology Meets Farmer Resilience
Ubanagu believes the most transformative force in the sector is already present — Africa’s farmers.
“HarvestCalc is proof that when technology meets the resilience of African farmers, transformation is not only possible, it is inevitable,” he said.
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