Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations

Approximately 14 percent of the food produced globally is lost during post-harvest stages before reaching retail stage (FAO, 2019a). Post-harvest losses (PHL) pose significant challenges for farmers in developing regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Food losses in SSA occur across a wide...

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Autores principales: Mpagalile, Joseph, Odjo, Sylvanus
Formato: Capítulo de libro
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/149212
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author Mpagalile, Joseph
Odjo, Sylvanus
author_browse Mpagalile, Joseph
Odjo, Sylvanus
author_facet Mpagalile, Joseph
Odjo, Sylvanus
author_sort Mpagalile, Joseph
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Approximately 14 percent of the food produced globally is lost during post-harvest stages before reaching retail stage (FAO, 2019a). Post-harvest losses (PHL) pose significant challenges for farmers in developing regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Food losses in SSA occur across a wide spectrum, including up to 50 percent of fruit and vegetables and 10 to 20 percent for grains and pulses (FAO, 2019a). In light of this, it is imperative to enhance efforts to reduce PHL, particularly among small-scale farmers. This urgency is driven by the need to bolster food availability and optimize resource utilization. Smallholder farmers, constituting the majority of farms, bear the greatest impact of PHL, underscoring the critical importance of targeted intervention. Developing smallholder agriculture through PHL mitigation can effectively reduce poverty and hunger in low-income countries. Experience has demonstrated that the causes of PHL are multifaceted and vary across different types of value chains. However, common contributing factors include insufficient investments to facilitate the adoption of improved technologies, inadequate post-harvest management practices and institutional weaknesses. Additionally, in SSA, there is a lack of well-developed mechanization hire services for post-harvest operations. This publication consists of seven chapters with primary focus on mitigating PHL in developing regions. It covers various produce such as roots and tubers, grains, fruits, and vegetables. The inclusion of case studies from the Green Innovation Centres (GIC) for the agriculture and food sector aims to showcase various innovations and their impact on post-harvest loss education, increased income and job creation. Additionally, this publication explores the role of gender in efforts to reduce loss, agribusiness and entrepreneurship, and climate change management in post-harvest and provides recommendations for further action.
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spelling CGSpace1492122025-05-04T09:21:43Z Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations Mpagalile, Joseph Odjo, Sylvanus postharvest losses gender agro-industrial sector innovation mechanization smallholders Approximately 14 percent of the food produced globally is lost during post-harvest stages before reaching retail stage (FAO, 2019a). Post-harvest losses (PHL) pose significant challenges for farmers in developing regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Food losses in SSA occur across a wide spectrum, including up to 50 percent of fruit and vegetables and 10 to 20 percent for grains and pulses (FAO, 2019a). In light of this, it is imperative to enhance efforts to reduce PHL, particularly among small-scale farmers. This urgency is driven by the need to bolster food availability and optimize resource utilization. Smallholder farmers, constituting the majority of farms, bear the greatest impact of PHL, underscoring the critical importance of targeted intervention. Developing smallholder agriculture through PHL mitigation can effectively reduce poverty and hunger in low-income countries. Experience has demonstrated that the causes of PHL are multifaceted and vary across different types of value chains. However, common contributing factors include insufficient investments to facilitate the adoption of improved technologies, inadequate post-harvest management practices and institutional weaknesses. Additionally, in SSA, there is a lack of well-developed mechanization hire services for post-harvest operations. This publication consists of seven chapters with primary focus on mitigating PHL in developing regions. It covers various produce such as roots and tubers, grains, fruits, and vegetables. The inclusion of case studies from the Green Innovation Centres (GIC) for the agriculture and food sector aims to showcase various innovations and their impact on post-harvest loss education, increased income and job creation. Additionally, this publication explores the role of gender in efforts to reduce loss, agribusiness and entrepreneurship, and climate change management in post-harvest and provides recommendations for further action. 2024 2024-07-23T14:26:02Z 2024-07-23T14:26:02Z Book Chapter https://hdl.handle.net/10568/149212 en Open Access application/pdf Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Mpagalile, J., & Odjo, S. (2024). Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations. In Post-harvest management: Bridging gaps and embracing innovations. FAO.
spellingShingle postharvest losses
gender
agro-industrial sector
innovation
mechanization
smallholders
Mpagalile, Joseph
Odjo, Sylvanus
Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations
title Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations
title_full Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations
title_fullStr Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations
title_full_unstemmed Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations
title_short Chapter 1. Introduction to post-harvest challenges and innovations
title_sort chapter 1 introduction to post harvest challenges and innovations
topic postharvest losses
gender
agro-industrial sector
innovation
mechanization
smallholders
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/149212
work_keys_str_mv AT mpagalilejoseph chapter1introductiontopostharvestchallengesandinnovations
AT odjosylvanus chapter1introductiontopostharvestchallengesandinnovations