Review of Postharvest Loss Effects, Magnitudes, Challenges and Management Practices in Ethiopia

Abstract

This review was aimed to recognize the effect, challenge, magnitude and management practices of postharvest losses in Ethiopia. Global efforts in fight against hunger to raise income and improve food security especially in world poorest country should give priority to the issue of postharvest loss.  Postharvest loss is major problem to persistence food insecurity to meet food demand of rapidly growing population. An average magnitude of postharvest losses along value chain of selected (horticultural and cereal) crops has been estimated 10 to 50 % in Ethiopia. Major challenges facing in postharvest handling include lack of: - awareness, communication, targeted policies and strategies, evidence-based postharvest loss assessments, institutional and organizational arrangements, targeted financing and investment in postharvest handling to ensure food security of Ethiopia. Hence, improved postharvest handling practices, better education to farmers, improved infrastructure in order for products to reach markets, developed value chains, collaboration between actors in supply chains and improved technologies must give attention to reduce postharvest loss to achieve improved food security in Ethiopia. Keywords: - postharvest loss, effects, challenges, magnitudes, management practices DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/101-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2020