Leveraging the innovation potential of informal midstream actors to enhance food systems outcomes

Scholars and policymakers alike acknowledge that the informal midstream is an important linkage in Africa’s food system, providing a crucial connec­tion between production and consumption of nutritious fruits and vegetables. In several instances, development practitioners have deliber­ately engaged informal midstream actors in inter­ventions to enhance food systems outcomes, such as introducing plastic crates in Nigeria to reduce postharvest losses. Using this initiative as a case study, we interview key actors to explore the relationship between challenges, motivations, innova­tion capacity, and conditions in the inno­vation and adoption of plastic crates. We conclude from our findings that successful innovation in food system depends on collaboration between informal mid­stream actors and formal sector service providers, and necessitates a deep under­standing of socio­economic realities and power dynamics, especially in relation to gender norms. We highlight approaches that actors in the formal sector can take to enable informal midstream actors to engage in innovation processes for positive food systems outcomes; specifically, decreased postharvest losses, improved food safety, and increased incomes for women.