Humid tropical climate

This systematic review examines the effectiveness and feasibility of heating and ventilation systems as critical interventions to mitigate substantial post-harvest maize losses in Nigeria, which currently range from 20% to 30%. The core challenge stems from Nigeria's humid, tropical climate, where high temperatures and relative humidity foster pest infestations, microbial growth, and the dangerous production of aflatoxins by Aspergillus species. The study finds that uncontrolled heat, particularly in structures like metal silos, encourages harmful moisture migration and spoilage , while controlled heating remains a potential solution for active grain drying. Ventilation is identified as the key defense mechanism, but its implementation is complicated: traditional natural airflow systems often fail in the humid southern regions, and powered aeration faces significant constraints due to high ambient humidity and an unreliable electricity supply. The analysis concludes that a universal, one-size-fits-all approach to technology dissemination is inappropriate. Success depends on context-specific technology recommendations tailored to Nigeria's distinct agro-ecological zones, differentiated by production scale, and supported by complementary institutional capacity development. There is an urgent research and innovation gap in developing affordable, intelligent ventilation systems specifically designed for local climate zones. Furthermore, successful adoption relies on coupling technology promotion with market development strategies that enable farmers to realize economic premiums for improved grain quality.