The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries

This article reviews the recent literature that has evaluated the effectiveness of postharvest loss (PHL)-reducing technologies for grains among smallholder farmers and small-scale traders in sub-Saharan Africa. We also develop a conceptual framework for identifying and quantifying different types o...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ricker-Gilbert, J., Omotilewa, O.J., Kadjo, D.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Annual Reviews 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120523
_version_ 1855523088778657792
author Ricker-Gilbert, J.
Omotilewa, O.J.
Kadjo, D.
author_browse Kadjo, D.
Omotilewa, O.J.
Ricker-Gilbert, J.
author_facet Ricker-Gilbert, J.
Omotilewa, O.J.
Kadjo, D.
author_sort Ricker-Gilbert, J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This article reviews the recent literature that has evaluated the effectiveness of postharvest loss (PHL)-reducing technologies for grains among smallholder farmers and small-scale traders in sub-Saharan Africa. We also develop a conceptual framework for identifying and quantifying different types of PHL that include physical quantity losses along with quality losses that are both observable (e.g., discoloration, insect damage, mold growth, and odor) and unobservable (e.g., aflatoxin contamination, chemical residues, and nutrient content losses). The framework considers how PHL affects producers, consumers, and society as a whole. We find that although reducing postharvest quantity losses often receives more attention from researchers, it is the loss of quality, particularly unobservable quality issues, that has a large effect on food safety and nutrition. A review of the literature suggests that cost-effective technologies to reduce PHL exist, but facilitating their adoption requires action from both the public and private sectors.
format Journal Article
id CGSpace120523
institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2022
publishDateRange 2022
publishDateSort 2022
publisher Annual Reviews
publisherStr Annual Reviews
record_format dspace
spelling CGSpace1205232023-09-09T05:31:21Z The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries Ricker-Gilbert, J. Omotilewa, O.J. Kadjo, D. postharvest losses postharvest technology food safety food security food policies sub-saharan africa This article reviews the recent literature that has evaluated the effectiveness of postharvest loss (PHL)-reducing technologies for grains among smallholder farmers and small-scale traders in sub-Saharan Africa. We also develop a conceptual framework for identifying and quantifying different types of PHL that include physical quantity losses along with quality losses that are both observable (e.g., discoloration, insect damage, mold growth, and odor) and unobservable (e.g., aflatoxin contamination, chemical residues, and nutrient content losses). The framework considers how PHL affects producers, consumers, and society as a whole. We find that although reducing postharvest quantity losses often receives more attention from researchers, it is the loss of quality, particularly unobservable quality issues, that has a large effect on food safety and nutrition. A review of the literature suggests that cost-effective technologies to reduce PHL exist, but facilitating their adoption requires action from both the public and private sectors. 2022-10-05 2022-08-12T08:20:35Z 2022-08-12T08:20:35Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120523 en Limited Access Annual Reviews Ricker-Gilbert, J., Omotilewa, O.J. & Kadjo, D. (2022). The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 14, 1-41.
spellingShingle postharvest losses
postharvest technology
food safety
food security
food policies
sub-saharan africa
Ricker-Gilbert, J.
Omotilewa, O.J.
Kadjo, D.
The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries
title The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries
title_full The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries
title_fullStr The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries
title_full_unstemmed The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries
title_short The economics of post-harvest loss and loss-preventing technologies in developing countries
title_sort economics of post harvest loss and loss preventing technologies in developing countries
topic postharvest losses
postharvest technology
food safety
food security
food policies
sub-saharan africa
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120523
work_keys_str_mv AT rickergilbertj theeconomicsofpostharvestlossandlosspreventingtechnologiesindevelopingcountries
AT omotilewaoj theeconomicsofpostharvestlossandlosspreventingtechnologiesindevelopingcountries
AT kadjod theeconomicsofpostharvestlossandlosspreventingtechnologiesindevelopingcountries
AT rickergilbertj economicsofpostharvestlossandlosspreventingtechnologiesindevelopingcountries
AT omotilewaoj economicsofpostharvestlossandlosspreventingtechnologiesindevelopingcountries
AT kadjod economicsofpostharvestlossandlosspreventingtechnologiesindevelopingcountries