Business

Climate change is lowering productivity in Nigeria’s fresh produce sector, which is impacted by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, increased pest outbreaks, and soil degradation. These climate shocks strain an already fragile farming system, in which most farmers lack access to climate-resilient inputs, credit, insurance, extension services, and market infrastructure. Nigeria currently imports the majority of its food, with currency fluctuations driving food inflation and smallholder farmers struggling with rising input prices and shrinking profits. Women, who contribute significantly to agriculture, are often excluded from land ownership and face barriers to accessing fertile land, leading to unpaid or insecure employment. Without urgent and coordinated action, these challenges threaten both rural livelihoods and national food security.

Alltimefresh delivers fresh, market-driven produce by working directly with smallholder farmers and women retailers, reducing post-harvest losses. The company partners with women and youth farmers across Alltimefresh-managed block farms. Through the block farming model, the company achieves centralized management, standardized processes, and ultimately economies of scale. It also eliminates the presence of exploitative middlemen by supplying affordable produce and short-term credit directly to women retailers, who dominate Nigeria’s fresh produce trade.

Impact

Alltimefresh boosts the profitability and climate resilience of farmers and female traders across the supply chain by providing access to drought-resistant seeds, bio-inputs, and solar irrigation. This helps boost yields far beyond national averages, while access to solar cold storage reduces post-harvest waste and associated GHG emissions. It also provides local female market traders with flexible payment terms and farmers outside its network with pay-as-you-store solar cold storage, helping boost incomes. Its integrated system also strengthens regional food security, ensuring that fresh produce reaches the market in optimal conditions.