Lavender Fields Limited

Agriculture plays a significant role in the Nigerian economy, contributing 22.35% GDP (2021). Post-harvest loss (PHL) is one of the major challenges in the Agriculture value chain. Food losses and waste are a result of inefficient functioning of food systems. Knowledge gap on essential post-harvest practices by farmers has been well identified to accentuate losses. Northern Nigeria is one of the largest producers of onions in the world with over 2 millions tonnes produced annually. Onions have one of the largest PHL of over 50% due to low investment in agronomic practices. Lavender Fields (LF) aims to replace current practice of 'Rudu' storage i.e. traditional drying of onions by a cool supply chain from field to market, however, access to energy for chilling hampers this initiative. Our current project uses a renewable energy system which provides power for commercial drying and cooling for onion storage systems. This will lead to improved financial outcomes for onion farmers as a result of decreased losses of crop and a more regulated onion supply. The system provides an integrated energy supply to develop a low carbon cold storage system for onions. LF in line with its commitments to help Nigeria achieve its SDG goals is a company with 2 of the 4 leadership positions taken up by women which covers SDG 5. The storage of agricultural products for a longer period of time using renewable energy technology ensures better quality, more affordable products and a significant reduction in PHL ensuring zero hunger by 2030. This core activity in Lavender Fields covers SDG2 and SDG7.