Reducing post-harvest damage

Description

Reducing post-harvest damage involves implementing practical measures to minimize losses of agricultural produce after harvesting, during handling, storage, transport, and processing. Essential actions include improving harvesting techniques, using appropriate storage facilities, controlling pests and diseases, and training stakeholders in best practices. These strategies directly address spoilage, contamination, and physical damage, thereby increasing food availability, enhancing farmer incomes, and reducing waste throughout the supply chain.

Implementation

At an international symposium in Brazil in 1993, postharvest experts from the public and private sectors from many countries discussed how to avoid post-harvest losses by applying and disseminating alternative technologies and introducing appropriate facilities for grain handling, drying and storage, as well as focusing on ways of extending the benefits to medium and small scale farmers.