Reducing On-Farm Food Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
103
Possible Causes of Food Losses for Meat and
Eggs
Arab Group
N = 13 (%)
Asian Group
N = 16 (%)
African Group
N = 13 (%)
Poor cultural practices (pruning, fertilizing,
Pesticide spraying)
2 (15.38) 1 (6.25) 2 (15.38)
Poor water management or drought 2 (15.38) 5 (31.25) 1 (7.69)
Plant or animal diseases on the farm (fungi,
viruses, bacterial rots)
9 (69.23) 7 (43.75) 9 (69.23)
Harvesting Causes
Poor harvesting practices (damaged by cuts,
bruises, etc.)
3 (23.08) 2 (12.5) 2 (15.38)
Wrong time for harvest (immature, over-mature) 0 0 1 (7.69)
Mechanical damage during postharvest handling
(rough handling, throwing, dropping)
6 (46.15) 3 (18.75) 2 (15.38)
Poor quality field containers or shipping
packages
8 (61.54) 11 (68.75) 4 (30.77)
Other Causes
Poor temperature management (too cold, too hot,
no cold chain)
9 (69.23) 13 (81.25) 9 (69.23)
Lack of proper storage facilities 12 (92.31) 13 (81.25) 10 (76.92)
Lack of proper food processing and packaging 10 (76.92) 12 (75) 10 (76.92)
Delays in transport/distribution 9 (69.23) 10 (62.5) 7 (53.85)
Poor roads and related infrastructure 12 (92.31) 9 (56.25) 5 (38.46)
Lack of marketing options 8 (61.54) 7 (43.75) 4 (30.77)
Consumption (waste) 8 (61.54) 3 (18.75) 7 (53.85)
Source: Key Informant Surveys.
Larger scale animal production operations generally have better access to information on best
practices. They typically choose to invest in good quality feed, and provide proper sanitation and
health care and are linked directly to the market.
When it comes to rearing of improved strains of backyard poultry, farmers have to acquire
knowledge and skills necessary for taking appropriate decisions to reach their production
potential. These include aspects such as:
 Artificial heating and brooding: readymade or improvised, temperature adjustments;
 Medication: medicines, dosage and route of administration;
 Feeding: completely on chick mash, completely scavenging or both;