Reducing Postharvest Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
12
For the fish and seafood group, the wide range of different species prompted the NRI team to
select a method of fishery, artisanal coastal, rather than a specific species. A good amount of
recent research and activity in postharvest losses in Indonesia suggested this country as a
focus.
Table 1: Commodity, OIC Member Country and regional coverage of field visits and desk
studies
Commodity group Commodity focus Country and Regional Grouping
Asian Arab African
Cereals Maize Egypt
Roots & tubers Cassava Nigeria
Oilseeds & Pulses Groundnuts Senegal
Fruit & Vegetables Tomato Bangladesh
Meat & Meat products Sheep and goats Oman
Milk & Dairy Milk Uganda
Fish & Seafood Artisanal coastal fishery Indonesia
No. of field case studies 2 1 0
No. of desk case studies 0 1 3
Region coverage 2 2 3
With limited resources, it was agreed to undertake short visits to interview key informants in
three of the target case study countries/commodity groups. These were spread across the OIC
Member Country Regional Groups as follows: Bangladesh – Asian – Tomatoes, Oman – Arab –
sheep and goats, and, Indonesia – Asian - Artisanal coastal fishery.
A case study check list was developed to ensure a consistent approach across the countries
visited and in the outputs received from different experts (Annex 3). The check list was
applied as an interview guide only, with each individual interview allowed to follow the most
relevant line of enquiry appropriate. The check list explained the ethical approach of the
survey, gathered respondent details, asked generic questions about the make-up and actors in
the target value chain, losses and how these are currently or might be addressed through
investment and policy. For each case study a standard reporting method was agreed including
the status and important of the commodity in that country, an assessment of the losses with
causes, and, identified actions and strategies for reducing losses.