| Summary: | The fruits and vegetable sector in Tanzania has grown significantly, increasing output 4.1 times from 1990 to 2020 (Reardon et al., 2024). However, post-harvest losses, accounting for 30-40% of annual crop production (MoA, 2019), hinder these gains. These losses are highest in the fruit and vegetable sector due to their perishability. This affects livelihoods by reducing farmers' income and threatens food and nutrition security.
Postharvest losses stem from limited access to cold storage (Baltazari et al., 2020; Dome & Prusty, 2017). Fruits and vegetables are often transported long distances without refrigeration and sold in open-air markets, leading to high spoilage rates. Low-cost cooling options include evaporative coolers, solar-powered cold storage, and affordable on-grid technologies. Despite their benefits, adoption among smallholder farmers remains low, requiring further promotion and evidence of effectiveness.
Food safety risks also pose significant concerns due to pesticide residues and unhygienic handling. A study by Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority and Rikolto found biological contaminants in 63.2% of market samples and harmful pesticide residues in 47.5% of vegetable samples (Citizen, 2022). Increasing awareness through training on good agricultural practices can mitigate these risks.
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