Reducing On-Farm Food Losses

In the OIC Member Countries

4.1.2. Roots and Tubers

Key informants in the Arab, Asian and African Groups indicated that 10 out of the 11 potential

on-farm causes of losses were important. The Arab group cited poor information, poor water

management, poor harvesting practices, wrong timing for harvesting, and poor quality field

containers as themajor causes of on-farm losses. The Asian Group key informants reported pests

on the farm and mechanical damage in addition to the causes identified by the Arab Group. For

perishable crops, these are common problems in all countries. More than 50% of the key

informants for the African groups selected all the on-farm causes with the exception of the

wrong time for harvest.

In addition to these on-farm causes of losses, more than 50% of all the key informants identified

poor temperature management, lack of proper storage facilities, lack of proper food processing

and packaging, delays in transportation, and lack of marketing options as important causes of

losses for roots and tuber crops in their countries. A key informant from the UAE reported

“decoration waste” as a cause of cereals losses; a key informant from Palestine reported on poor

quality production of roots and tubers as a hindrance to marketing; and a key informant from

Burkina Faso cited a “lack of competent extension service assistance.”

Table 4.3: Tally of Numbers and % of Key Informant Responses for Roots and Tubers

Possible Causes of Food Losses for Roots and

Tuber Crops

Arab Group

N = 18 (%)

Asian Group

N = 21 (%)

African Group

N = 16 (%)

Pre-Harvest Causes

Poor information and planning

14 (77.78)

13 (61.9)

14 (87.5)

Lack of inputs (fertilizer, etc.)

9 (50)

12 (57.14)

10 (62.5)

Poor quality seeds, planting material

12 (66.67)

11 (52.38)

10 (62.5)

Pests on the farm (weeds, insects, rodents)

13 (72.22)

18 (85.71)

15 (93.75)

Poor cultural practices (pruning, fertilizing,

Pesticide spraying)

13 (72.22)

14 (66.67)

12 (75)

Poor water management or drought

14 (77.78)

10 (47.62)

9 (56.25)

Plant or animal diseases on the farm (fungi,

viruses, bacterial rots)

12 (66.67)

14 (66.67)

11 (68.75)

Harvesting Causes

Poor harvesting practices (damaged by cuts,

bruises, etc.)

14 (77.78)

14 (66.67)

12 (75)

Wrong time for harvest (immature, over-

mature)

14 (77.78)

14 (66.67)

5 (31.25)