Review of Postharvest Loss Effects, Magnitudes, Challenges and Management Practices in Ethiopia

Daniel Daka Godebo

doi:10.7176/fsqm/101-03

Abstract

This review was aimed to recognize the effect, challenge, magnitude and management practices of postharvest losses in Ethiopia. Global efforts in fight against hunger to raise income and improve food security especially in world poorest country should give priority to the issue of postharvest loss. Postharvest loss is major problem to persistence food insecurity to meet food demand of rapidly growing population. An average magnitude of postharvest losses along value chain of selected (horticultural and cereal) crops has been estimated 10 to 50 % in Ethiopia. Major challenges facing in postharvest handling include lack of: - awareness, communication, targeted policies and strategies, evidence-based postharvest loss assessments, institutional and organizational arrangements, targeted financing and investment in postharvest handling to ensure food security of Ethiopia. Hence, improved postharvest handling practices, better education to farmers, improved infrastructure in order for products to reach markets, developed value chains, collaboration between actors in supply chains and improved technologies must give attention to reduce postharvest loss to achieve improved food security in Ethiopia. Keywords: - postharvest loss, effects, challenges, magnitudes, management practices DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/101-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Highlights

Global efforts in fight against hunger to raise farmers’ income and improve food security especially in world poorest country should give priority to the issue of crop loss/ postharvest loss (FAO, 2010). This is due to the adverse effect of crop loss on food quality, environment and generally on economic development
The review was conducted in Ethiopia based on intensive literature review of published materials such as journals, articles and book materials to identify effect, challenges, magnitude, and management practices and to show benefits of reducing postharvest loss of agricultural products in food security of Ethiopia
Primary data was obtained from experts in agricultural areas to have advanced information on effect, magnitude, challenge and management practices of post-harvest losses in Ethiopia and secondary data was collected from published material sources to accomplish this review

Summary

Introduction

Global efforts in fight against hunger to raise farmers’ income and improve food security especially in world poorest country should give priority to the issue of crop loss/ postharvest loss (FAO, 2010). This is due to the adverse effect of crop loss on food quality, environment and generally on economic development. Ethiopia is the second most highly populated countries in Africa with about 99.4 million people, which is projected to reach 125 million by 2025. Agriculture employs 80% of population, forming basis of Ethiopia’s economy (European Union Delegation to Ethiopia, 2018). Ethiopia has been the largest recipient of food aid in Sub-Saharan Africa, because of unsecured food (Melak and Birgit, 2014)

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