Post-harvest management in Africa: A review of innovative technologies and multidisciplinary approaches for reducing food losses

Food and nutritional security are pressing global challenges, exacerbated by the increasing population. An integrated and innovative approach is needed to guarantee sustainable food production and consumption in the African community. This study outlines post-harvest losses, their impact, innovative technologies to reduce losses, and multidisciplinary approaches to address this issue. An estimated 60% of the total crop harvested is lost due to post-harvest losses in many African countries, leading to high rates of hunger, decreased edible food mass, reduced nutritional value, low income for farmers, and compromised food security as well as livelihoods. Successful technologies for managing food losses include proper storage, handling, and transportation, suitable packaging materials and design, and adequate monitoring and sensing technologies. Moreover, other approaches can be integrated, such as extension services, combining agronomy and material science, and policy frameworks supporting post-harvest management. Successful post-harvest management initiatives in Africa have identified other promising and cost-effective technologies, including establishing post-harvest working groups at the national level that link researchers and other food value chain actors concerned about lowering post-harvest losses, as well as providing farmers with practical training and capacity building. A post-harvest loss reduction strategy should be integrated into agricultural programs in Africa to offer farmers practical guidance and reasonably priced solutions.