Reducing On-Farm Food Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
100
Table 4.4: Tally of Numbers and % of Key Informant Responses for Oilseeds and Pulses
Possible Causes of Food Losses for Oilseeds
and Pulses
Arab Group
N = 14 (%)
Asian Group
N = 17 (%)
African Group
N = 17 (%)
Pre-Harvest Causes
Poor information and planning 8 (57.14) 10 (58.82) 9 (52.94)
Lack of inputs (fertilizer, etc.) 6 (42.86) 9 (52.94) 7 (41.18)
Poor quality seeds, planting material 7 (50) 7 (41.18) 9 (52.94)
Pests on the farm (weeds, insects, rodents) 9 (64.29) 13 (76.47) 10 (58.82)
Poor cultural practices (pruning, fertilizing,
pesticide spraying)
8 (57.14) 13 (76.47) 8 (47.06%)
Poor water management or drought 9 (64.29) 6 (35.29) 9 (52.94)
Plant or animal diseases on the farm (fungi,
viruses, bacterial rots)
9 (64.29) 11 (61.71) 10 (58.82)
Harvesting Causes
Poor harvesting practices 6 (42.86) 8 (47.06%) 7 (41.18)
Wrong time for harvest (immature, over-mature) 6 (42.86) 6 (35.29) 6 (35.29)
Mechanical damage during postharvest handling
(rough handling, spillage)
5 (35.71) 5 (29.41) 9 (52.94)
Poor quality field containers or shipping packages 7 (50) 5 (29.41) 6 (35.29)
Other Causes
Poor temperature management (too cold, too hot,
no cold chain)
7 (50) 5 (29.41) 5 (29.41)
Lack of proper storage facilities 10 (71.43) 8 (47.06) 9 (52.94)
Lack of proper food processing and packaging 11 (78.57) 10 (58.82) 10 (58.82)
Delays in transport/distribution 5 (35.71) 5 (29.41) 3 (17.65)
Poor roads and related infrastructure 9 (64.29) 6 (35.29) 6 (35.29)
Lack of marketing options 9 (64.29) 8 (47.06) 5 (29.41)
Consumption (waste) 9 (64.29) 4 (23.53) 4 (23.53)
Source: Key Informant Surveys.