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Crop type Estimated postharvest loss (%) Primary causes Maize 18–25 Insect infestation, mold, poor storage Wheat 15–20 Moisture, pest infestation, storage conditions Teff 15–20 Storage loss, grain handling Sorghum 22–28 Traditional storage, pests Chickpeas 15–20 Storage, market access Lentils 20–25 Inadequate storage, moisture Potato 30–35 Poor storage, delayed transport Onion 25–30 Storage loss, spoilage Tomato 40–45 Lack of cold chain, transport delays Fruits (general) 40–50 Spoilage, poor handling Source: synthesized from peer-reviewed secondary sources. Table 1.
Quantitative estimates of postharvest losses in Ethiopia by crop type.
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Policy/program Year Lead institution Aim Roles, contributions and implementation outcomes National Postharvest Management Strategy (PHMSE) 2024–2030 Ministry of Agriculture Reduce postharvest losses across key commodities Provides a comprehensive framework for postharvest loss reduction; emphasizes improved storage facilities, market access, and extension services. Pilot interventions show reductions in maize losses from 22% → 15% in Oromia, and tomato spoilage from 45% → 30% in Amhara during 2024–25. Strategy is in early scaling-up, with regional variations in adoption. Agricultural Growth Program (AGP) 2010–2020 Ministry of Agriculture Increase agricultural productivity and commercialization Supports infrastructure development, capacity building, and market linkages. Postharvest outcomes limited: only 20%–25% of targeted households benefited from storage improvements; losses in grains and vegetables remained high in several regions, indicating production-centric prioritization. National Nutrition Program (NNP) 2016–2025 Ministry of Health (multi-sectoral) Improve nutrition and food security Recognizes the importance of reducing postharvest losses; integrates postharvest considerations into nutrition strategies. Empirical assessments show modest spoilage reduction in pilot districts; challenges persist due to weak inter-ministerial coordination and limited capacity at local levels. Food Safety and Quality Proclamation No. 661/2009 (amended 2019) 2009 / 2019 Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) Set standards for food safety, storage, and transport Establishes regulations for postharvest handling, storage, and transportation. Implementation is uneven: market inspections remain low, especially in informal settings; losses for fruits and vegetables in Toke Kutaye District remain high. Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (IAIPs) Ongoing Ministry of Industry/ATA coordination Promote agro-processing and value addition Develops infrastructure for agro-processing; creates markets for surplus produce, reducing postharvest losses. Pilot parks show improved aggregation and reduced spoilage, though smallholder inclusion remains limited. Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy 2011 Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Enhance resilience of the agricultural sector Implements measures to improve infrastructure; improves agricultural practices to indirectly support postharvest management. Early-stage benefits observed in climate-smart storage adoption; scaling inconsistent across regions. Source: synthesized from peer-reviewed secondary sources. Table 2.
Policy frameworks for postharvest management in Ethiopia.
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