Reducing On-Farm Food Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
102
Possible Causes of Food Losses for Fruits and
Vegetables
Arab Group
N = 19 (%)
Asian Group
N = 24 (%)
African Group
N = 18 (%)
Poor temperature management (too cold, too hot,
no cold chain)
17 (89.47) 21 (87.5) 13 (72.22)
Lack of proper storage facilities 18 (94.74) 21 (87.5) 16 (88.89)
Lack of proper food processing and packaging 16 (84.21) 18 (75) 16 (88.89)
Delays in transport/distribution 17 (89.47) 18 (75) 14 (77.78)
Poor roads and related infrastructure 14 (73.68) 19 (79.17) 13 (72.22)
Lack of marketing options 16 (84.21) 19 (79.17) 13 (72.22)
Consumption (waste) 11(57.89) 12 (50) 14 (77.78)
Source: Key Informant Surveys.
4.1.4. Meat and Eggs
There were fewer key informants with expertise in meats and eggs than for the crop-related
food groups. The majority of key informants in the Arab, Asian and African Groups indicated that
poor information, planning, and animal diseases on-farmwere the most important causes of on-
farm losses for meat and eggs. Key informants for the Arab and Asia Groups also identified poor
quality shipping packages or containers for eggs as important causes of on-farm losses.
Regarding other possible causes of losses, key informants in all three OIC Member Country
Groups included poor temperature management, lack of proper storage, processing, and
packaging. These are all commonly found causes of losses for perishable foods.
In addition to the choices provided in the survey, a key informant from Yemen added
“unhygienic conditions;” a key informant from Palestine reported “poor quality products;” and
from the UAE there was “decorative waste” as important causes of losses of meats and eggs.
Table 4.6: Tally of Numbers and % of Key Informant Responses for Meats and Eggs
Possible Causes of Food Losses for Meat and
Eggs
Arab Group
N = 13 (%)
Asian Group
N = 16 (%)
African Group
N = 13 (%)
Pre-Harvest Causes
Poor information and planning 11 (84.62) 9 (56.25) 8 (61.54)
Lack of inputs (feed, etc.) 5 (38.46) 5 (31.15) 5 (38.46)
Poor quality starting materials 1 (7.69) 0 2 (15.38)
Pests on the farm ( insects, rodents) 3 (23.08) 3 (18.75) 4 (30.77)