Reducing On-Farm Food Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
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2.2 Estimates of On-Farm Losses by Key Informants
Key informants were asked to identify the stage of on-farm losses in production, harvesting, and
on-farm handling, rate the level of on-farm losses, and provide information on the causes of
losses for each food group. Potential on-farm related causes were listed in detail as the first 11
choices, but key informants were allowed to identify other possible causes of food losses. Key
informants rated the levels of on-farm losses on a rating scale where:
 5 = very high (more than 50%)
 4 = high (30 to 50%)
 3 = moderate (10 to 30%)
 2 = low (5 to 10%)
 1 = very low (less than 5%)
The rate of on-farm losses are summarized for each of the food groups as follows. On-farm losses
for perishable crops were rated higher than on-farm losses of less perishable crops.
Table 2.18: Summary of Key Informant Rating of On-Farm Losses by Food Group
Average Key Informant Ratings (Q1) Overall Rating of On-
Farm Losses (Q3)
Food Group Production Harvesting Handling
Cereals Low Low Low Moderate (10-30%)
Roots and Tubers Moderate Moderate Low High (30-50%)
Oilseeds and Pulses Low Low Low Moderate (10-30%)
Fruits and Vegetables Moderate Moderate Moderate High (30-50%)
Meats and Eggs Low Very Low Very Low Low (5-10%)
Milk and Dairy Low Low Low Moderate (10-30%)
Fish and Seafood Low Low Low Moderate (10-30%)
Source: Key Informant Surveys
There were no major differences between the average ratings of the key informants from each
of the OIC Member Country Groups or within the three major stages of on-farm losses
(production, harvesting and handling) when these stages were each rated individually. Milk and
dairy products were an exception as the rated on-farm losses in UAE, Syria, Bangladesh and
Indonesia were higher than for any of the other countries.
Cereals
Overall, for cereals, key informants rated the on-farm losses low for each stage, with a sum of a
moderate level of on-farm losses of 10-30%.