Grain losses after harvests in sub- Saharan Africa cost about $4 billion a year, the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization said in a report.
Food lost to decay and pest infestation could feed 48 mill
ion people, said Maria Helena Semedo, the FAO’s assistant director-general, in today’s report. Grain losses prior to harvest can total as much as 20 percent, the FAO said.
“If we agree that sustainable agricultural systems need to be developed to feed 9 billion people by 2050, addressing waste across the entire food chain must be a critical pillar of future national food strategies,” Semedo said.
Adding metallic silos, providing sealed bags and applying crop protectants will help prevent food loss after harvest, according to the report. Localizing solutions to fit the environment in Africa also will prevent losses, the FAO said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Dreibus at tdreibus@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net
Source: bloomberg
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