Agricultural experts craft new technologies dealing with post-harvest loses

By Regina Manyara          

Agricultural experts have crafted ten new technologies to deal with post-harvest losses as the country seeks to innovatively fight food wastage.

Experts are of the opinion that reducing post-harvest losses presents the surest way of guaranteeing food security in Kenya and the larger African continent.

Up to 40 percent of food in Africa is wasted after harvest, which has contributed to food insecurities in some regions.

Currently, 23 out of the 47 counties in Kenya are facing have been severely affected by famine as a result of dry spells experienced in recent months.

Experts are of the opinion that if African countries minimized post-harvest, the continent would have enough food to not only feed her population but also export.

Farmers are being encouraged to embrace the new technologies to fight post-harvest losses.

Farmers have also been encouraged to ensure that their grains are properly dried to reduce cases of aflatoxin.

Among factors contributing to the high levels of post-harvest losses in Kenya are inadequate post-harvest management, lack of structured markets, inadequate storage in households and limited processing capacity.