Reducing Food Loss in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
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Many smallholder farmers rely on grains and pulses as their staple food. Although production and post-harvest systems are undergoing constant improvement, some of the highest levels of food losses take place at farm level, thereby contributing to high food prices and removing part of the food supply from markets. With a shared motivation to reduce food losses in general, and post-harvest losses (PHL) in particular, the Rome-based agencies (FAO, IFAD and WFP) joined forces to strengthen capacities of stakeholders at different levels and develop a market-oriented approach to address inefficiencies in grain supply chains that result in food losses in food deficit areas. By facilitating linkages and information sharing through a global Community of Practice (CoP) on food loss reduction, developed within the SAVE FOOD global initiative, the project raised awareness and identified and disseminated solutions and strategies to reduce food losses.
What did the project do
By engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including the private sector, in three pilot countries - Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda - this project aimed to identify critical loss points in major grain supply chains and improve post-harvest systems to reduce the levels of losses. Using a comprehensive case study methodology developed by FAO, food loss analyses were carried out and good post-harvest management practices and technologies, including improved storage options for grains and pulses, were piloted. Good practices to reduce PHL were compiled and disseminated at the national level and through the global CoP. Smallholder farmers and relevant supply chain actors (both men and women) were engaged in capacity building and the project supported the development of policy and regulatory frameworks conducive to loss reduction in selected supply chains.Impact
Reducing food losses, and particularly PHL, contributes to improving food security, fighting hunger and reducing poverty. Smallholder farmers in food deficit areas benefit from increased availability, quality and safety of food, more efficient production and post-harvest systems at the farm level and additional opportunities to increase household income. Stakeholders globally benefit from the CoP’s shared information on good practices, feasibility of applying specific post-harvest technologies and solutions and practical, field-based lessons. The results of the project can form the basis for developing loss reduction strategies and improving knowledge to address food losses in a sustainable manner.Activities
- Global CoP on food loss reduction established for knowledge sharing, partnering and mainstreaming of food loss reduction solutions.
- Critical food loss points identified and viable solutions for food loss reductions formulated.
- Capacity developed and strengthened on good post-harvest management and solutions and strategies to reduce losses for multi-stakeholder actors, including women.
- Potential post-harvest technologies and food loss reduction solutions piloted and tested.
- Policy and regulatory development supported and enabled through evidence-based knowledge provision.