INFRASTRUCTURE
Types of Warehousing Facilities
The PLACOM warehousing network is designed to serve different points across the commodity value chain — from farmgate collection to long-term storage and structured financing.
Aggregation Centres
Strategically located farmgate collection points where smallholder farmers consolidate produce before grading, weighing, and onward distribution. Reduces transportation costs and post-harvest losses at source.
Certified Public Warehouses
Government-backed, PLACOM-affiliated warehouses offering secure, insured storage for agricultural commodities. Certified warehouses enable the issuance of Warehouse Receipts used for commodity-backed financing.
Cold Storage Facilities
Temperature-controlled storage designed for high-value perishables including strawberries, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, vegetables, and dairy products — extending shelf life and market window.
Quality Control Laboratories
On-site grading, testing, and certification facilities ensuring commodities meet national and international standards before entering trading, financing, or export channels.
Warehouse Receipt Systems
A digital and paper-based receipting infrastructure that allows farmers to store commodities in certified warehouses and use the receipt as collateral to access credit — without selling at distress prices.
Public Food Reserve System
Strategic commodity reserves managed in partnership with government agencies to support price stabilisation, food security, and emergency supply management across Plateau State.
HOW IT WORKS
The Warehouse Receipt System
The Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) is a key financial innovation that allows farmers and traders to unlock the value of stored commodities without selling them prematurely at low prices.
Deposit commodity
Farmer delivers graded, certified commodities to a PLACOM-accredited warehouse.
Receive warehouse receipt
A certified warehouse receipt is issued, confirming the quantity, quality, and ownership of stored goods.
Access financing
The receipt is presented to a financial institution as collateral to access a loan or working capital.
Sell when prices are right
The farmer sells at a time and price of their choosing, repays the loan, and collects remaining proceeds.
BENEFITS
Why WRS Matters
- Eliminates distress selling at harvest-time lows
- Provides access to affordable credit for farmers
- Reduces post-harvest losses through proper storage
- Supports commodity price stabilisation
- Creates structured, transparent commodity markets
- Enables financial institutions to lend with confidence
Partner in Warehousing Development
Interested in investing in warehouse infrastructure or becoming an accredited PLACOM warehouse operator? Get in touch with our team.