FG seeks strategic procurement to end post-harvest losses

Omeiza Bill

The Federal Government has called for the use of strategic public procurement as a key instrument to strengthen Africa’s logistics systems, cut post-harvest losses, and improve food security across the continent.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus O. Ogunbiyi, made the call on Tuesday in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme, “Public Procurement is Live: Creating Opportunities for Sustainable Growth in Africa,” Dr. Ogunbiyi said procurement was no longer a back-office function but a strategic tool for economic transformation, institutional strengthening, and improving citizens’ quality of life.

He noted that with governments spending between 12 and 20 per cent of GDP through public procurement, every procurement decision represents an investment that can stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and deliver greater public value.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that for the agricultural sector, efficient procurement must directly address logistics and supply chain gaps that continue to drive food losses and high prices.

“This is particularly significant for Africa, where supply chain inefficiencies remain one of the greatest constraints to economic growth and regional competitiveness. Poor transport networks, inadequate logistics infrastructure, fragmented cross-border systems, high freight costs, limited warehousing capacity, and delays in the movement of goods continue to increase the cost of doing business and undermine the efficiency of public investments,” he said.

“For farmers, these challenges are even more pronounced. Farmers depend on efficient logistics to receive seeds, fertilizers, machinery and extension services on time. Likewise, harvested produce must move quickly from farms to aggregation centers, processing facilities, storage hubs and markets. 

“Weak logistics and transportation systems contribute significantly to post-harvest losses, reduce farmers’ incomes, increase food prices, and weaken food security across the continent.”

Dr. Ogunbiyi therefore urged governments to use transparent and well-planned procurement to invest in roads, railways, inland waterways, ports, cold-chain infrastructure, warehouses, and digital logistics platforms that will connect producers to markets and facilitate trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

He further called on African countries to embrace digital procurement platforms, e-contract management, artificial intelligence, data analytics, block chain and smart logistics solutions, and to strengthen regional collaboration to modernize procurement and supply chain systems. 

“Strengthening transparent, technology-driven procurement and resilient supply chains is critical to realizing the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and maximizing opportunities presented by the AfCFTA,” he added.

Dr. Ogunbiyi disclosed that within the Ministry, procurement is being treated as a strategic mechanism for delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, with every procurement decision targeted at enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding mechanisation, strengthening irrigation systems, improving storage and processing infrastructure, and developing competitive agricultural value chains.

“As Accounting Officer, I remain steadfast in ensuring that every procurement process within the Ministry complies with the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and is guided by integrity, due process, competition, and effective contract management,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted ongoing reforms including digitalization of procurement processes, stronger monitoring and evaluation, professionalization of procurement officers, and increased stakeholder engagement.

The Summit also featured an Awards ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations for excellence in procurement and supply chain management across Africa.

He congratulated all honourees saying that “Together, let us build procurement and supply chain systems that deliver value for money, strengthen public trust, improve logistics, support food security, promote industrialization, and create shared prosperity for all Africans.”

The Summit brought together procurement and supply chain professionals, government officials, development partners and captains of industry from across Africa.