Council launches campaign against post-harvest losses

Women buy green maize at Kibuye market in Kisumu county. A campaign aimed at reducing post-harvest losses has been launched. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Present at the launch of the campaign were Ugandan High Commissioner Angelina Wapakhabulo and her counterpart from Tanzania, Dr Batilda Burian. The United States ambassador was represented by the embassy’s agriculture counsellor, Ms Cate Snipes.

A campaign aimed at reducing post-harvest losses has been launched.

The drive by the regional grain value chain forum, the East African Grain Council (EAGC), seeks to reduce the losses that occur through transportation, drying, storage, pest infestation, disease, and poor market access.

Post-harvest losses in East Africa are estimated at Sh134.4 billion ($1.6 billion) a year, or 13.5 per cent of total grain production.

This is almost equivalent to the total food aid received annually in the region. The losses represent 40-60 per cent of the total harvest. Poor transportation, drying, storage, pest infestation, disease, and poor market access are the main causes.

Kenya’s post-harvest losses are estimated at Sh50 million a year, where maize harvest ranges between 42 and 44 million (90kg) bags on a good year and 28 to 32 million bags in a bad one, with consumption estimated at 36-38 million bags.

A statement from EAGC says the warehouse receipt system is gaining traction, with the aim of structuring grain trade. “Data shows that Sh100 million has been loaned against warehouse receipts by five banks, led by Chase Bank at Sh55 million, and Equity at Sh39 million, against stocks estimated at 55 million tonnes of maize, wheat, rice, and legumes held in various warehouses in Rift Valley, Central, and Eastern provinces.

“What the warehouse receipt service (WRS) has done is not only to eliminate post-harvest losses but also cut out middlemen and other market inefficiencies, putting money into farmer’s pockets while guaranteeing food processors and consumers quality food at affordable prices,” said the WRS country manager, Ms Jane Wanza.

Present at the launch of the campaign were Ugandan High Commissioner Angelina Wapakhabulo and her counterpart from Tanzania, Dr Batilda Burian. The United States ambassador was represented by the embassy’s agriculture counsellor, Ms Cate Snipes.

The post-harvest campaign runs for four months, culminating in a two-day trade expo at Kabarak University scheduled for August 14-15 this year.