A commodity system analysis to reduce post harvest losses of vegetable

1. A commodity system analysis to reduce post harvestlosses of vegetable Realized by: KODJOGBE Guy, Chantal Pali, Nana Fredua AGYEMAN, Marian ASAMOAH, Christophe Kouame, Rosine Batchep, Benoit Gnonlonfin, Kerstin HELL, Ousmane COULIBALY

2. Outline • Background • Commodity system analysis • Case study Benin, Ghana, Cameroon • Summary and Recommendations

3. Background • Producing vegetables provides substantial employment opportunities along the supply chain • In Benin, vegetables production provides employment for nearly 60,000 people (PADAPA, 2003) • Gender involvement Share of women (%) along the supply chain of Indigenous vegetable across 6 selected countries Source: IndigenousVeg survey data, 2006

4. Background • Producing vegetable is profitable • Retailers earn > 1 $/d • Consuming vegetable is good for Health • High nutrient content • Reduce non transmissible diseases Mahyao et al. 2006 Nutrient content of nightshade and cabbage

5. Background • Vegetables are highly perishable • High losses before they can reach the market • Improvement and promotion of Post harvest Technology is critical to boost rural economies

6. Commodity System Analysis Methodology • 26 components • Each component is potentially important • But not always relevant for all commodities • Permits analysis of a whole commodity systems • Requires multidisciplinary team La Gra et al.1990

7. Commodity System Analysis Methodology • Causes of losses at different points of the system La Gra et al. 1990

8. Case study • Assessment of Post harvest losses of selected vegetable crops • Benin, Ghana, Cameroon • Tomato, Pepper, Okra, leafy vegetables • Determine the extent, types and core causes of post-harvest losses • Identify ways to cost effectively reduce losses

9. Case study • Focus group discussion: producers, traders, policy makers • Survey: Losses (physical and economic), causes and destinations according producers (60) and traders (180) perceptions • Labanalysis: Dilution method (speck, 1976): 30 samples/product/zone • Trackingsamples: Recording temperature under shade and temperature inside the baskets + daily weighting and counting the samples

10. Assessment of post harvestlosses • Causes of post-harvestlosses of freshvegetables: - use of auto-propagated seeds - excessive use of fertilizer, - poor irrigation system - poor harvesting practices, - supply exceeding demand - Limited access to loan - Handling: poor transport and storage - Diseases and pests

11. Assessment leafy vegetable • Producers are aware that quality of produce is affected by: • Delay weeding • Water management • Fertilizer & pesticide use • Disease and pests

12. Assessment leafy vegetable According to policy makers, cultural practices affect Quality Kouame et Gnononfin, 2009

13. Assessment leafy vegetable • Traders • 1- Transport & storage • Delay • Poor infrastrures (roads, storage) • 2- Poor access to markets • Mevente • Supply>demand • 3- Diseases and Pests

14. Assessment Post harvest losses • Heating, yellowing, weight loss • Direct exposition to sun • Inadequate ventilation during packing, storage, transportation • Physiological damages: Softening,.. • Premature harvest • Direct exposition to soil • Direct exposition to rain • Plastic packing material Types and major causes of Post harvest losses

15. Assessment Post harvest losses • Physical damages • Packaging (large bags) • Overloading (transportation) • Inappropriate packing materials • Poor road conditions Types and major causes of Post harvest losses

16. Assessment of post harvestlosses Table 3 : Quantitative losses assessment in value chain (%)

17. Assessment of post harvestlosses Table 7: Mycoflora occurrence on vegetables (CFU/g) in Benin

18. Assessment of post harvestlosses Table 8: Mycoflora occurrence on vegetables (CFU/g) in Accra (Ghana)

19. Assessment of post harvestlosses Tracking samples : tomato case Tomato baskets weight and percent of spoiled tomatoes depend on display temperature

20. Summary • Many ways in which quality of fresh product are affected • Choice of variety • Use of untreated manure • Harvesting practices • Diseases & pests • Problem do not stop at farm level • Poor packaging • Exposure to sun • Poor handling • Poor storage practices • Marketing infrastructure

21. Summary • Post harvest losses are highest for tomato and lettuce, up to 20% after 5 days • For Leafy vegetable, losses amount to 20% for nightshade and Amaranth • Chilli pepper and okra are most infected by fungi: risk of mycotoxicosis

22. Recommendations • Training of producers: appropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides, marketing and production planning methods • Invest in Infrastructure: transport, Storage • Promote simple Post-harvest technologies: improve packing, provide shade, control pests

23. Recommendations • Improve access to high quality seeds and other inputs • Improve access to credit for actors • Training traders on effective and efficient transport or storage practices • Monitoring of mycotoxins and pesticides residues

24. Thankyou