Assessment of Food Products Lost Among Households in Rwanda: A Case Study of Rural and Urban Areas

This study investigates food loss in rural and urban households in Rwanda, focusing on areas in the Eastern and Western Provinces for rural settings and Kigali for urban ones. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 320 households, with 160 from rural and 160 from urban areas. Data was collected through surveys and interviews, exploring household characteristics, food consumption patterns, food loss stages along the value chain, and socio-economic impacts. The analysis revealed that food loss is more prevalent in rural areas at the production, handling, and storage stages, while urban areas experience greater loss at the consumption stage. Poor storage, spoilage, and over-purchasing were identified as significant contributors to food loss. The study suggests that rural and urban households face economic challenges due to food loss, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, including improved storage infrastructure, consumer education, and better food management practices.