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Post-harvest loss in Sub-Saharan Africa -- what do farmers say ?

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  • Christiaensen,Luc
  • Kaminski,Jonathan
  • Christiaensen,Luc
  • Kaminski,Jonathan

Abstract

The 2007-2008 global food crisis has renewed interest in post-harvest loss, but estimates remain scarce, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper uses self-reported measures from nationally representative household surveys in Malawi, Uganda, and Tanzania. Overall, on-farm post-harvest loss adds to 1.4-5.9 percent of the national maize harvest, substantially lower than the Food and Agriculture Organization's post-harvest handling and storage loss estimate for cereals, which is 8 percent. Post-harvest loss is concentrated among less than a fifth of households. It increases with humidity and temperature and declines with better market access, post-primary education, higher seasonal price differences, and possibly improved storage practices. Wider use of nationally representative surveys in studying post-harvest loss is called for.

Suggested Citation

  • Christiaensen,Luc & Kaminski,Jonathan & Christiaensen,Luc & Kaminski,Jonathan, 2014. "Post-harvest loss in Sub-Saharan Africa -- what do farmers say ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6831, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6831
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    References listed on IDEAS

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