What is Post-Harvest Loss?
Post-harvest loss is measurable qualitative and quantitative loss of food degraded from harvest to consumption. This concept is more pronounced in developed countries such as the U.S due to monitoring of acceptability and consumable in the nutrient and caloric composition. Whereas quality loss is not as common due to being rarely measured less strictly in developing countries. Approximately 20% of loss is incurred during production, 18% in postharvest, and 28% during consumption.
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Eighty percent of the world’s food is produced by an estimated 500 million small farmers. Most of these farmers have limited resources meaning they are challenged in areas of acres, water, labor, and sales. This skewing is even more pronounced among minority and socially disadvantaged farmers, many of whom rely on fruit and vegetable production where they can get more per unit income on their limited acreage. However, these farmers face severe constraints and obstacles along the food chain leading to post harvest food loss, ultimately causing a greater deficit on profit. Over 40% of the food these farmers produce is never consumed. The obstacles attributing to food losses include:
By 2050 the demand for agricultural crops will double as the world population continues to increase. The world’s food providers will be expected to increase quantity and quality in response to the growing demand. Increased productivity and improved post harvest handling and food processing is the key to reducing losses and waste.
Locations |
Developed Countries Range |
Developed Countries Mean |
Developing Countries Range |
Developing Countries Mean |
From Production to Retail Sites |
2-23 |
12 |
5-50 |
22 |
At Retail, Food Service, and Consumer Sites |
5-30 |
20 |
2-20 |
10 |
Cumulative Total |
7-53 |
32 |
7-70 |
32 |
Estimated postharvest losses (%) of fresh produce in developed and developing countries. Source: Kader, 2005
The mission for the Post Harvest Global Center is to be the Center for training and demonstration in innovative and applicable Post-Harvest technologies in the Southern Region of the US and beyond.
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Our goal is to reduce post-harvest loss in horticulture crops for Disadvantage Limited Resource Farmers.
Objectives:
How the Post-Harvest Center is Reducing Impact:
Focus Area: Southeast Region, USA
Dr. Desmond Mortley
Ƶ Global Center for Post-Harvest
Research & Training- Handling, Food Processing & Food Safety
College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutritional Sciences
Telephone: 334.727.8044 ● Fax: 334.727.8552
Email: dmortley@tuskegee.edu
Dr. eunice A. Bonsi
203 Mary Starke Harper Hall
Research and Training-Food Processing, Preservation & Food Safety
College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutritional Sciences
Telephone: 334.727.8044 ● Fax: 334.727.8552
Email: ebonsi@tuskegee.edu