Bezabeh Kossiya, Development Agent, sharing the experience from the Post-Harvest Management project and the benefits of using metal silos and hermetic bags with participants at the Farmers' Field Day in Layignaw Argoba village, Derashe.

Government Calls for Nationwide Scaling Up of FAO’s Post-Harvest Management (PHM) Project to Reduce Food Loss and Waste

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a farmers' field day under the theme of "Post-Harvest Handling Technologies - The Gateway for Food Loss Reduction" in the South Ethiopia Region from 21-22 June 2024. The event aimed to showcase achievements and share learnings from the successful implementation of PHM practices among smallholder farmers in the country.

Implemented since 2013 in partnership with the MoA, the PHM project introduced metal silos and hermetic bags to reduce post-harvest crop loss by 30 percent. The project has been instrumental in contributing to the Government’s intervention towards improving food and nutrition security of its citizens.

H.E Dr Meles Mekonnen, State Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture Development Sector, MoA, led the mission, which brought together government officials, experts from the federal, regional zonal and local levels of the agriculture sector, FAO representatives, donors, microfinance institutions, youth artisans, and farmers.

During the event, Mosena Beyene, an early adopter of post-harvest handling technologies, showcased his transition from traditional underground grain storage pits to modern metal silos and hermetic bags. Mosena highlighted the advantages of these technologies, such as extended grain preservation, protection against pests, and improved market value.

The modern technologies have also increased the status quo. "Metal silos and hermetic bags enable you to earn high respect from the community because a farmer who preserves grains for many years is a symbol of reliability. This also allows you to provide people with produce free from contamination (aflatoxin) during shortages," exclaimed Asegu Borkena, Mosena's wife.

Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Representative in Ethiopia, expressed her satisfaction with the project's outcomes, including improved grain quality, increased income, and women empowerment and new jobs for the youth. Farayi also praised the government's commitment in effectively leading the project implementation and for its determination to expanding the practice to other regions in the country.

Essayas Lemma, Lead Executive Officer for Crop Development at the MoA, strengthened Farayi’s stances through listing practical findings from using metal silos and hermetic bags. “The new technologies have reduced post-harvest losses by up to 40 percent in some cases, leading to increased income, food and nutrition security, and the creation of new job opportunities,” Essayas highlighted. According to the Officer, the government has developed a PHM strategy based on the project's success and incorporated it into agricultural education programs.

Further elaborating on the government's focus on post-harvest loss reduction technologies in the agricultural sector, Essayas stated, "We have also incorporated PHM into the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum."

However, farmers mentioned the challenge of the increasing cost and availability of metal silos in the market. Youth artisans trained and supported by the project highlighted that the shortage of imported galvanized sheet metal is the major reason for the price hikes.

In order to get a long-lasting solution to the challenge, FAO has been closely working with the government on how to import galvanized sheet metal tax-free. Moreover, the project supports the youth artisans mainly with provision of basic tools for making metal silos.

Highlighting the multifaceted advantages of PHM technologies for their gender empowerment, climate-smart practices, improved health outcomes by avoiding pesticide use, youth employment, and enhanced market value of grains, Dr. Meles Mekonnen, State Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture Development Sector, MoA, conferred that the Ministry will work to address the sheet metal shortage.

“The government will consider involving government development enterprises and microfinance institutions for accessing credit modalities as some of the short-term solutions to address the demand-supply gap,” said Dr Meles.

Congratulated all stakeholders involved in the PHM project for the remarkable achievements in reducing post-harvest losses and waste, the State Minister called for scaling up of the good practices throughout the country. 

The PHM Project Background:
In December 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated a project called "Reducing Food Losses through Post-harvest Management." This project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in the Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia regions. Its primary objective was to contribute to food and nutrition security by introducing metal silos and hermetic bags as solutions to reduce grain post-harvest losses among smallholder farmers.

To date, the project has successfully distributed 10 000 metal silos to 9 000 households. Additionally, three million hermetic bags have been made available to 600 000 households. As part of the project, 75 young artisans have been organized and trained, receiving support in the form of galvanized sheet metal and tools for metal silo production.

For further information, please contact:

Meseret Abiy
National Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]

Emmanuel Kihaule
International Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]

Aresawum Mengesh
RI2 Agribusiness/Farmer Field School Officer
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]