Much to gain from reducing food loss and waste in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania

Food loss and waste drains $940 billion from the global economy each year. The private sector, with support from government and partners, can change that.

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The incredible scale of global food loss and waste – an estimated one-third of food produced – causes economic losses of US$ 940 billion per year. Besides economic losses it also consumes a quarter of all water used by agriculture and accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gases. Reducing food loss and waste is a critical strategy for addressing sustainable development goals to reduce poverty, improve nutrition and take climate change mitigation action.

In a peer-reviewed study published this month, we examined the business case for reducing food loss and waste in three supply chains: dairy in Kenya, grains in Tanzania and tomatoes in Nigeria. We found that reducing food loss in these supply chains is a low-hanging fruit; investments are profitable and benefit supply chain actors.

To catalyze immediate action, governments and development organizations can:

– build capacity and reduce the risk for small businesses in agricultural value chains;

– facilitate investment for research, development and deployment of new technologies and

– improve the regulatory environment.

Read more here!