Reducing On-Farm Food Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
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Knowledge sharing via the internet is growing at a rapid pace, with website based agriculture
libraries, and the use of free services for face to face meetings. On-line, free to access libraries
on crop production, animal health, fisheries and more include:
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Interactive websites, webinars and live chats can make learning across long distances simple for
learners and easier to provide for many audiences. Internet-based sessions using a growing list
of applications such as Skype, Facebook chat, WhatsApp Messenger, Facebook Messenger, Viber,
and Google Hangouts are replacing telephone calls for long distance communications.
International Skype to Skype calls are growing at annual rate of more than 50%, and currently
account for 40% of all international telephone calls (Typhina et al, 2014).
Use of modern internet communications and outreach programs using mobile devices can help
communicate agricultural production and food loss prevention information to more people at
lower cost. An example of a successful programme is SAWBO (Scientific Animations Without
Borders) which develops and distributes free short animated videos on improved agricultural
practices and has them recorded using a wide assortment of local languages. SAWBO actively
seeks collaborators who can record the voice tracks in new languages and in accents most
appropriate for their country/culture. Sample videos can be viewed on YouTube by searching
for the following topics:
 Solar Treating of Cowpea Seeds;
 Natural Insecticide from Neem Seeds; and
 Postharvest Loss: Salt Testing for Grain Moisture Levels.
When initiating education and knowledge sharing, the same efforts for capacity building as those
listed for institutional supports should be encouraged. However, there may be additional needs
for technological training and facilitation should be made to allow for periods when needed
internet connectivity becomes problematic.