Abstract
The reduction of post-harvest losses (PHLs) has been identified as a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite policy prioritisation, knowledge about the severity of PHLs remains scant, especially when it comes to nutrient-dense crops such as African nightshade and bush beans. Therefore, this paper identifies loss hotspots, causes and effects throughout the value chains of nightshade and bush beans in eastern Uganda. Primary data collected following the Informal Food Loss Assessment Method, combined with small-scale load tracking and secondary data, allows for an analysis of physical, economic, quality, and nutritional losses throughout the value chains of both crops. Results show that in the bush bean value chain, severe physical and quality losses occur during post-harvest handling by farmers, leading to high economic losses at this stage of the chain. Nutritional losses are not expected to be significant in the bush bean value chain. By contrast, due to the shortness of the nightshade value chain, where produce is moved from harvest to consumption within one or two days, physical losses in most parts of the chain are relatively minor. Only at consumption stage, high physical losses occur. This is also the stage where economic losses and potential nutritional losses are most pronounced. The results of this study offer a deeper understanding of the value chain dynamics of bush beans and nightshade, including underlying gender relations, and identify concrete loss hotspots, upon which further research and practical interventions can build.
Highlights
In sub-Saharan Africa, the debate on reducing post-harvest losses (PHL), i.e. potential food crops which leave farmers’ fields but never reach the consumers’ plate (Sheahan & Barrett, 2017, p. 1), is ongoing in academia and policy-making
By investigating PHL in the African nightshade and bush bean value chains, we focus explicitly on traditional food value chains
The paper draws on the Informal Food Loss Assessment Method (IFLAM) and uses load tracking as a supplementary tool to assess and obtain insights into underlying reasons for PHL in the nightshade and bush bean value chains
Summary
In sub-Saharan Africa, the debate on reducing post-harvest losses (PHL), i.e. potential food crops which leave farmers’ fields but never reach the consumers’ plate (Sheahan & Barrett, 2017, p. 1), is ongoing in academia and policy-making. In sub-Saharan Africa, the debate on reducing post-harvest losses (PHL), i.e. potential food crops which leave farmers’ fields but never reach the consumers’ plate Challenges include non-uniform measurement for the occurrence of PHL, a strong focus on estimating losses during on-farm storage, and a lack of variety of crops studied, which are mostly grains and cereals (Affognon et al, 2015; Sheahan & Barrett, 2017). When investigating the causes of PHL, studies tend to concentrate on storage problems and insect infestations (Affognon et al, 2015), whereas other relevant factors, such as socioeconomic and context-specific dynamics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
