Extent of pre-harvest and post-harvest losses and their causes: identifying critical loss points in the dried bean supply chain of the school meals program in Kajiado and Kitui counties of Kenya

The extent of pre- and post-harvest losses in supply chains linked to the home-grown school meals program (HGSMP) is not documented. This study sought to fill this gap and determine critical loss points along the dried bean supply chain of the HGSMP. The study was conducted in Kajiado and Kitui Counties. Secondary and primary data were collected for this study. Primary data was collected from all the schools implementing the HGSMP and all other supply chain actors linked to the programme within the two counties through interviews and direct measurement of the losses (load-tracking). Data was analysed using the FAO case study methodology. Producers reported quantitative losses of about 18.4% and 6.6% in Kitui and Kajiado Counties, respectively. Traders estimated quantitative losses at 5.8% and 12.6% in Kajiado and Kitui, respectively. The study revealed that the storage stage is a critical loss point for both producers and traders. Promotion of awareness and appropriate technologies and practices for storage and post-harvest handling of food commodities procured for school meals can contribute to reducing losses. Capacity building of supply chain actors on proper pre-harvest agricultural practices and post-harvest management is also essential for the reduction of pre- and post-harvest losses.