The Experts below are selected from a list of 3339 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
K Audain - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a review of Postharvest handling and Losses in the fresh tomato supply chain a focus on sub saharan africa
Food Security, 2016Co-Authors: M S Sibomana, T S Workneh, K AudainAbstract:Abstract The mitigation of Postharvest Losses in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) tomato industry has the potential to improve profit margins, livelihoods and food security. This review focuses on the current status of Postharvest handling of tomatoes in SSA. Recent peer-reviewed, industry, government and non-governmental organisations’ documents were consulted. Descriptive and quantitative approaches were used to present the information from the literature. Postharvest Losses in the fresh tomato supply chain in SSA occur predominantly at the pre-consumer level, in contrast to similar supply chains in developed countries. Overall, recent estimations of Losses in fresh market tomatoes were similar across SSA; 9.5 % in East Africa, 9.8 % in Central and Southern Africa, and 10.04 % in West Africa. Examples of individual countries showed estimated Losses of 10.1 % in Kenya, 10.2 % in South Africa and 13.4 % in Nigeria representing multi-million dollar Losses from these supply chains. Inadequate monitoring and quantifying of Losses was noted in SSA. This document identifies Postharvest challenges and presents possible interventions and opportunities for both large and small-scale producers. Overall, the implementation of any solutions in the SSA tomato supply chains will have to account for the specific contexts of each chain and level of production.
Christopher Mutungi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an assessment of the magnitudes and factors associated with Postharvest Losses in off farm grain stores in kenya
Journal of Stored Products Research, 2017Co-Authors: Soulkifouly G Midingoyi, Christopher Mutungi, Joseph K Mwangi, Abdul K Faraj, Hippolyte AffognonAbstract:Off-farm grain storage is an important Postharvest undertaking by government, traders and processors in Kenya. A survey was conducted in 2014/2015 to assess the kinds and magnitudes of perceived Losses experienced in off-farm stores, and the factors associated with them. Store supervisors or key personnel charged with grain storage in 39 public and 74 private stores, spread across the six maize growing agro-ecological zones, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Total perceived Losses averaged 17.6± 2.3%, and were attributed to insects (7.2± 1.0%), molds (5.7± 2.1%), moisture loss (3.4± 0.5%), rodents (2.0± 0.5%), spillage (0.50 ± 0.0%) and birds (0.10± 0.0%). Total Losses experienced in public and privately owned stores were not significantly different. The Losses attributed to insect and the vertebrate pests, moisture loss and spillage, were also not significantly different in the two storage systems. However, Losses due to molds were significantly higher in the private stores. From regression analysis, higher Losses were associated with the use of residual insecticides, purchasing low quality maize for storage, reuse of storage bags, untimely control of storage pests, and the agro-climatic conditions of the moist transitional, moist mid-altitude and dry mid-altitude zones. Relying on infestation reports to initiate pest control had the highest marginal effect (21.7%). Lower loss magnitudes were associated with cleaning and drying grain before storage, early pest control and storage periods shorter than two months. These findings provide important reasons for appraising current off-farm storage techniques with a view to taking possible actions for improvements. It is recommended that innovations to mitigate maize Postharvest Losses should also target off-farm storage, as the Losses incurred are significant.
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on farm maize storage systems and rodent Postharvest Losses in six maize growing agro ecological zones of kenya
Food Security, 2016Co-Authors: Hippolyte Affognon, Christopher Mutungi, Kukom Edoh Ognakossan, Daniel N Sila, Soulkifouly G Midingoyi, Willis OwinoAbstract:Rodents are one of the major Postharvest pests that affect food security by impacting on both food availability and safety. However, knowledge of the impact of rodents in on-farm maize storage systems in Kenya is limited. A survey was conducted in 2014 to assess magnitudes of Postharvest Losses in on-farm maize storage systems in Kenya, and the contribution of rodents to the Losses. A total of 630 farmers spread across six maize growing agro-ecological zones (AEZs) were interviewed. Insects, rodents and moulds were the main storage problems reported by farmers. Storage Losses were highest in the moist transitional and moist mid-altitude zones, and lowest in the dry-transitional zone. Overall, rodents represented the second most important cause of storage Losses after insects, and were ranked as the main storage problem in the lowland tropical zone, while insects were the main storage problem in the other AEZs. Where maize was stored on cobs, total farmer perceived (farmer estimation) storage weight Losses were 11.1 ± 0.7 %, with rodents causing up to 43 % of these Losses. Contrastingly, where maize was stored as shelled grain, the Losses were 15.5 ± 0.6 % with rodents accounting for up to 30 %. Regression analysis showed that rodents contributed significantly to total storage Losses (p < 0.0001), and identified rodent trapping as the main storage practice that significantly (p = 0.001) lowered the Losses. Together with insecticides, rodent traps were found to significantly decrease total Losses. Improved awareness and application of these practices could mitigate Losses in on farm-stored maize.
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unpacking Postharvest Losses in sub saharan africa a meta analysis
World Development, 2015Co-Authors: Hippolyte Affognon, Christopher Mutungi, Pascal C Sanginga, Christian BorgemeisterAbstract:Reducing Postharvest Losses (PHL) is a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, knowledge of PHL magnitudes is limited. A meta-analysis has been conducted to expose nature and magnitude of PHL, and the kinds of interventions that have been attempted to mitigate the Losses. Findings reveal inadequacies of loss assessment methodologies that result in inaccurate PHL estimates. Moreover, Losses are often economic rather than physical product Losses. Overall, technologies for loss mitigation fail to address dynamics of supply chains. Consequently, rigorous PHL assessment using systematic methodologies, as well as holistic approaches for Losses mitigation are in need.
Lesley Macheka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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identification of determinants of Postharvest Losses in zimbabwean tomato supply chains as basis for dedicated interventions
Food Control, 2018Co-Authors: Elsbeth Spelt, Lesley Macheka, Evertjan Bakker, Jack G A J Van Der Vorst, Pieternel A. LuningAbstract:Abstract Postharvest Losses (PHL) are a major problem in tomato supply chains, especially in tropical climates, as up to 40% of harvested fruits are estimated to decay along the chain. The study aimed at identifying which farmers' context characteristics, logistics and quality control activities relate with the generation of PHL in tomato supply chains, particularly in Zimbabwe. Commercial and subsistence tomato farmers (n = 197) from five major tomato-growing areas were analysed using a diagnostic tool to assess the status of logistics and quality control activities, the vulnerability of farmers' context, and the actual PHL. Hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in three clusters of farmers grouped based on similarities on context vulnerability and status of logistics and quality control activities. Spearman's rank correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analyses revealed that more advanced logistics and control activities, and context characteristics with a lower vulnerability to PHL are associated with less Postharvest Losses. The context characteristics, features of storage facilities, features of cropping system, and market price stability were significant determinants (p
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Exploration of logistics and quality control activities in view of context characteristics and Postharvest Losses in fresh produce chains: A case study for tomatoes
Food Control, 2017Co-Authors: Lesley Macheka, Elsbeth Spelt, Jack G.a.j. Van Der Vorst, Pieternel A. LuningAbstract:Postharvest Losses in fresh produce chains are a major threat to food security, especially in transition countries. To develop effective intervention strategies for Postharvest Losses reduction, it is important to first understand the core logistics and quality control activities that could affect Postharvest Losses in these chains. In this study, a diagnostic tool was developed and used to assess the implementation level of core logistics and quality control activities, the vulnerability of the system due to the context in which it operates, and the actual Postharvest Losses. Based upon a literature review, the context characteristics are divided into product, process, organisation, and supply chain environment characteristics to assess the context vulnerability to Postharvest Losses. The identified core logistics activities are planning on the amount of fresh produce to harvest and process, selecting issuing policies, selecting mode of transportation and type of vehicle, and vehicle scheduling and routing. Maturity determination at harvest, deciding on harvest moment, harvesting, packing, and storage practices, use of grading standards, package material, temperature monitoring during storage and transportation, and equipment maintenance are the core quality control activities identified. The tool was applied to three groups of farmers operating in a tomato supply chain in Zimbabwe. The major findings are that commercial farmers recorded lower Postharvest Losses (1%) as compared to subsistence farmers (3%), the context for commercial farmers is less vulnerable to the generation of Postharvest Losses as compared to that for subsistence farmers, and logistics and quality control activities for commercial farmers are implemented at a more advanced level. The tool provides differentiated assessment that allows users to identify improvement opportunities to achieve higher performance for the activities and to reduce context vulnerability.
Christian Borgemeister - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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unpacking Postharvest Losses in sub saharan africa a meta analysis
World Development, 2015Co-Authors: Hippolyte Affognon, Christopher Mutungi, Pascal C Sanginga, Christian BorgemeisterAbstract:Reducing Postharvest Losses (PHL) is a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, knowledge of PHL magnitudes is limited. A meta-analysis has been conducted to expose nature and magnitude of PHL, and the kinds of interventions that have been attempted to mitigate the Losses. Findings reveal inadequacies of loss assessment methodologies that result in inaccurate PHL estimates. Moreover, Losses are often economic rather than physical product Losses. Overall, technologies for loss mitigation fail to address dynamics of supply chains. Consequently, rigorous PHL assessment using systematic methodologies, as well as holistic approaches for Losses mitigation are in need.
Pieternel A. Luning - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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identification of determinants of Postharvest Losses in zimbabwean tomato supply chains as basis for dedicated interventions
Food Control, 2018Co-Authors: Elsbeth Spelt, Lesley Macheka, Evertjan Bakker, Jack G A J Van Der Vorst, Pieternel A. LuningAbstract:Abstract Postharvest Losses (PHL) are a major problem in tomato supply chains, especially in tropical climates, as up to 40% of harvested fruits are estimated to decay along the chain. The study aimed at identifying which farmers' context characteristics, logistics and quality control activities relate with the generation of PHL in tomato supply chains, particularly in Zimbabwe. Commercial and subsistence tomato farmers (n = 197) from five major tomato-growing areas were analysed using a diagnostic tool to assess the status of logistics and quality control activities, the vulnerability of farmers' context, and the actual PHL. Hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in three clusters of farmers grouped based on similarities on context vulnerability and status of logistics and quality control activities. Spearman's rank correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analyses revealed that more advanced logistics and control activities, and context characteristics with a lower vulnerability to PHL are associated with less Postharvest Losses. The context characteristics, features of storage facilities, features of cropping system, and market price stability were significant determinants (p
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Exploration of logistics and quality control activities in view of context characteristics and Postharvest Losses in fresh produce chains: A case study for tomatoes
Food Control, 2017Co-Authors: Lesley Macheka, Elsbeth Spelt, Jack G.a.j. Van Der Vorst, Pieternel A. LuningAbstract:Postharvest Losses in fresh produce chains are a major threat to food security, especially in transition countries. To develop effective intervention strategies for Postharvest Losses reduction, it is important to first understand the core logistics and quality control activities that could affect Postharvest Losses in these chains. In this study, a diagnostic tool was developed and used to assess the implementation level of core logistics and quality control activities, the vulnerability of the system due to the context in which it operates, and the actual Postharvest Losses. Based upon a literature review, the context characteristics are divided into product, process, organisation, and supply chain environment characteristics to assess the context vulnerability to Postharvest Losses. The identified core logistics activities are planning on the amount of fresh produce to harvest and process, selecting issuing policies, selecting mode of transportation and type of vehicle, and vehicle scheduling and routing. Maturity determination at harvest, deciding on harvest moment, harvesting, packing, and storage practices, use of grading standards, package material, temperature monitoring during storage and transportation, and equipment maintenance are the core quality control activities identified. The tool was applied to three groups of farmers operating in a tomato supply chain in Zimbabwe. The major findings are that commercial farmers recorded lower Postharvest Losses (1%) as compared to subsistence farmers (3%), the context for commercial farmers is less vulnerable to the generation of Postharvest Losses as compared to that for subsistence farmers, and logistics and quality control activities for commercial farmers are implemented at a more advanced level. The tool provides differentiated assessment that allows users to identify improvement opportunities to achieve higher performance for the activities and to reduce context vulnerability.