Abstract
Reducing postharvest losses (PHLs) of food crops is a critical component of sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. Many PHL reduction interventions have been tested, but synthesized information to support evidence-based investments and policy is scarce. In this study, PHL reduction interventions for 22 crops across 57 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia from the 1970s to 2019 were systematically reviewed. Screening of the 12,907 studies identified resulted in a collection of 334 studies, which were used to synthesize the evidence and construct an online open-access database, searchable by crop, country, postharvest activity and intervention type. Storage technology interventions mainly targeting farmers dominated (83% of the studies). Maize was the most studied crop (25%). India had the most studies (32%), while 25 countries had no studies. This analysis indicates an urgent need for a systematic assessment of interventions across the entire value chain over multiple seasons and sites, targeting stakeholders beyond farmers. The lack of studies on training, finance, infrastructure, policy and market interventions highlights the need for interventions beyond technologies or handling practice changes. Additionally, more studies are needed connecting the impact of PHL reductions to social, economic and environmental outcomes related to Sustainable Development Goals. This analysis provides decision makers with data for informed policy formulation and prioritization of investments in PHL reduction.
Highlights
Reducing postharvest losses (PHLs) of food crops is a critical component of sustainably increasing agricultural productivity
The critical role of PHL reduction to support the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 and the need to review existing evidence were recognized during a consultative exercise coordinated by the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development and the Ceres2030 project
This study investigated PHL reduction interventions for 22 crops across 57 countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia from the 1970s to 2019
Summary
Reducing postharvest losses (PHLs) of food crops is a critical component of sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. More studies are needed connecting the impact of PHL reductions to social, economic and environmental outcomes related to Sustainable Development Goals. PHL reduction can simultaneously optimize agricultural productivity and increase the incomes of small-scale food producers and associated value-chain actors, especially women, who are traditionally responsible for many postharvest activities. Part of the crop may get left behind unharvested in the field, spilt during transportation or attacked by pests or microbes during storage All of these can reduce the quantity or quality of food available and the associated income opportunities for small-scale food producers. Many of these are preventable through proper training, the adoption of appropriate tools or technologies, effective handling practices, sound policies and marketing-related improvements. A synthesis of the expanding body of research and development work on interventions that can help small-scale
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