Africa Innovates Magazine - Flipbook - Page 8
FOOD SECURITY
AWAY WITH WASTAGE –
HOW NIGERIA’S AGRONOVATE
CUTS POST-HARVEST LOSSES
Artificial intelligence engineer Prince
Chiemeka is outraged by the up-to 52%
total food waste and post-harvest losses
caused by weak infrastructure services, like
transportation, in Nigeria. His motivation?
The effect on prices, and knock-on impact
on the poorest.
Chiemeka has designed a smart
storage device which keeps fruits and
vegetables fresh for 15 hours. This affordable
tool, which uses limited power using a passive
refrigeration system, is making waves with
farmers grouped in cooperatives, who drive,
ride motorcycles and even bikes to make
bigger profits.
Its cooling system technology, application
of data to identify deteriorating produce,
and machine learning to advise farmers on
transport-adaptable species, is nothing short
of brilliant.
He plans to salvage up to 8 million tons of
food, increase farmer revenues by 65%, cut
20,000 tons of CO2 emissions and contribute
to overall food security.
“My ambition for my
country is to help
solve food crises using
deep technologies like
artificial intelligence,
machine learning
and the Internet of
Things.”
Prince Chiemeka,
Agronovate CEO
Photo credit: Agronovate
8
Photo credit: Agronovate
SHOWCASING AFRICAN CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
