A global agenda under the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 12.3 which targets 50% reduction of per capital global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and food losses along production and supply chains including postharvest losses by 2030.
SDG 12.3 recognizes that about one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, which amounts to about 1.3 million tons of food per year worth nearly USD one trillion. These losses account for about one-fourth of water used in agriculture, total cropland area, and total fertilizer use, and produce about 3.3 billion tons of CO2 emissions yearly.
In developing countries, about 65% of lost food occurs at the production, processing and postharvest stages. Reducing food loss and waste can save money for farmers, businesses, and households, can feed more people and can alleviate pressure on climate, water, and land resources.
Specifically, postharvest loss reduction can:
- Increase market share and competitiveness of smallholders
- Stimulate growth of agribusiness industries, such as input suppliers (e.g. packaging, processing ingredient) and logistics providers (transport, storage).
-Generate more employment and income opportunities and stimulate the rural economy.
-promote gender equality as more women are involved in postharvest and marketing operations.
-Improve human nutrition and health.
Agricultural products are high income and provide nutritious feeding for humanity. Reducing postharvest losses will reduce poverty, food insecurity and unemployment by promoting new market opportunities.
Cross-cutting strategies to reduce food losses include:
- Developing loss measurement protocol
- Setting loss reduction targets
- increasing investment in loss reduction
- Supporting collaborative initiatives to reduce losses
The Africa farmers group is an organization that has a membership of (20) registered horticulture and livestock out growers around the country. The organization is headed at an apex level by an executive committee consisting of 15 members 8 male and 7 female headed by a CEO. The organization is expected to contribute towards the reduction of post harvest losses in horticulture and livestock sub-sectors in the country starting with identified farming groups. AFG is fully into loss reduction through value addition on agricultural products and the organization has conducted a country survey to identify some of the under-utilized agro-processing facilities that were built by government and donor funded projects in the past and presently in the decay. Those agro-processing facilities are supposed to be rehabilitated, upgraded and operational zed by AFG with the support of donors as the facilities, are found at communities where, farmers especially women are highly engaged in livestock and horticulture production. The process of rehabilitation of those facilities, value addition and marketing of farmers’ products, has be clearly indicated in (AFG) strategic plan in different components. Prior to the commencement of the rehabilitation process of identified facilities for storage, value addition and marketing of agricultural products. The Africa farmers group is expected to train identified horticulture and livestock out growers on the trend and impact of post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector and ways of reducing post-harvest losses.
This training proposal is part of activities indicated in the strategy which is expected to train (AFG) farmers /out growers on post harvest management knowledge before the commencement of value addition for their agricultural products.
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE TRAINING
The objective of the training is to train identified horticulture and livestock out growers on the trend of post-harvest losses in horticulture and livestock sub sectors and, make aware the AFG farmers on modalities of our operations relating to components highlighted in our strategy considering constraints and challenges faced with our farmers regarding post harvest losses.
METHODOLOGY OF THE TRAINING
Face to face
Presentation of modules,
Field training, on the job
Mentoring and coaching
Monitoring, evaluation and supervision
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