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Post-harvest losses (PHL) reported in maize production put Sub-Saharan African countries at higher risks of food insecurity. Recent studies reported that higher percentage of PHLs occur during the production stage when farmers are in full control of the crop, suggesting that farmers are not equipped with PHL management skills. This study therefore aimed at assessing the determinants of access to trainings on PHL management among maize farmers in Uganda. Primary data were drawn from 246 randomly sampled farmers in Alebtong District followed by Binary logit analysis. The results depicted that majority of the farmers (58%) did not have access to PHL management trainings. However, those who had access sourced it from extension workers (40.65%), farmers' groups (22.76%) and farmer-to-farmer trainings (12.20%). The main barriers limiting access to the trainings were unawareness of the PHL trainings and inaccessibility of the training centers. Farm size, group membership, maize output and marital status had positive effect on farmers' access to PHL management trainings while farm location, and distance to the training centers had a negative effect on access to PHL management trainings. Based on the findings, there is need for public sensitization on the benefits of the PHL trainings, farmers should also be motivated to join farmer-based groups and association where they would learn more about the PHL trainings. In addition, the government should open more training centers and employ more training agents so that many farmers can be reached and trained on how to handle and mitigate PHLs in maize.

This review was aimed to summarize the extent and causes of fish post‐harvest losses (FPHLs) in Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries and suggests the necessary intervention measures to narrow the gap between demand and supply. Globally, an estimate of 10–12 million tons of fish is lost per year. FPHLs in SSA are higher than those in other parts of the world. In SSA, the values of fisheries are estimated at 24 billion USD, 1.26% of the GDP of all the African countries and 6% of agriculture GDP. The vast majority of FPHLs in SSA occur at the production (39%), handling (36%), distribution (13%), processing (7%) and consumption (5%). The major factors that cause FPHLs in SSA were long time spent in hauling of fishing gears, spoilage, size discrimination, species preferences, operational losses, animal predation, poor handling practices, lengthy duration of fishing cycle, failure to use ice, lack of storage facilities, lack of transportation and insect infestation. FPHLs amount one third of total production and financial losses of 2–5 billion USD in SSA countries. Furthermore, volarization of fish waste and converting waste into useful substances is a promising approach to reduce fish waste. It can be recommended that improving fish production, live fish handling, processing, preserving, and marketing in SSA could narrow the gap between fish demand and supply. In SSA, the values of fisheries are estimated at 24 billion USD, 1.26% of the GDP of all African countries and 6% of agriculture GDP. Fish post‐harvest losses amounts an economic losses of 2‐5 billion USD in SSA countries.

Recent advances in agricultural production and storage systems have contributed to a significant enhancement in annual wheat production and preservation, aimed at satisfying increasing consumer demands. Despite such potential developments, there are still significant post‐harvest losses in stored wheat, induced by destructive pests, grain moisture content, and proliferation of fungi. This review discussed recent innovations in wheat storage, comprising hermetic storage, biological pest control, modified atmosphere technologies, smart IoT/AI‐enabled storage systems, and drying techniques, as well as other environment‐friendly compounds, such as inert dusts, desiccants, and botanicals, which collectively extend wheat shelf life and reduce post‐harvest losses. Emphasis is given on the integrated application of these technologies, together with an IPM approach that combines preventive storage measures, regular monitoring, biological controls, and minimal chemical use, to develop an efficient, durable, and sustainable wheat storage system. The review also focuses on the impact of climate change on wheat storage systems as well as how the storage systems could be adjusted to accommodate these complications. In view of recent research and technological advances, this paper highlights the importance of various innovative approaches including IPM, for the maintenance of stored wheat quality to ensure food security, sustainability, and adaptation to climate change.

Food loss and waste are significant global issues that have a profound impact on food security, the environment, and the economy. This review examines the magnitude, origins, and consequences of food loss and waste within the food system, emphasizing both technical and socio‐political dimensions. Evidence suggests that losses occur at multiple stages, including production, post‐harvest handling, retail, and consumption. The causes include inadequate infrastructure, poor handling practices, ineffective supply chains, consumer behaviors, and weak regulatory frameworks. High‐income nations generate more waste during consumption, whereas developing regions such as Sub‐Saharan Africa experience significant waste post‐harvest and throughout distribution. Existing interventions, including the expansion of the cold chain, utilization of digital platforms, and implementation of awareness campaigns, have proven to be inadequately scalable, particularly in resource‐constrained environments. Moreover, inadequacies persist in data quality, behavioral research, policy enforcement, and the incorporation of circular economy methodologies. This review is distinctive in that it examines the collective impacts on the environment, health, and economy, correlating them with governance and cultural influences, particularly in developing nations. The findings underscore the need for policies that are transparent, evidence‐based, and integrate food loss and waste reduction with national strategies for food security, climate change mitigation, and public health. To achieve SDG 12.3 and enhance the sustainability of food systems, it is crucial to strengthen data systems, promote private sector engagement, and foster innovations in the circular economy. This review highlights integrated strategies for minimizing food loss and waste across the global food supply chain. It identifies technological, behavioral, and policy‐driven interventions such as digital tracking, improved cold‐chain infrastructure, and circular economy innovations as critical to building sustainable food systems. Implementing these solutions can cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, enhance food security, and advance progress toward SDG 12.3.

To consider the different characteristics of soybean seeds for designing and regulating the post-harvest equipment, we evaluated the similarities in the physical properties of soybean cultivars in this study. Two-hundred soybean seeds from 40 genetically modified cultivars were collected in packages to measure the physical properties of the seeds. First, principal component analysis was performed to verify the interrelationships between the variables and soybean cultivars. Next, a boxplot was constructed for each variable, considering the groups obtained after analyzing the main components. Finally, a scatterplot containing the Pearson's correlations between the variables was constructed. We identified two clusters of cultivars: C1 and C2. The unit-specific mass was the physical property that contributed the most to the formation of C1, whereas the other physical properties contributed to the formation of C2. Soybean cultivars comprising C1 were similar to each other only in unit specific mass, and the cultivars allocated to group C2 were similar according to all the other properties evaluated. These results can serve as a guideline for genotype selection for soybean genetic improvement to minimize variations in the physical characteristics of the seeds and obtain greater efficiency in the processing stages. Thus, the equipment manufacturing industry and seed processing units can implement projects and equipment adjustments to manage the post-harvest and seeding processes of soybean seeds efficiently.

The presence of pest rodents around food production and storage sites is one of many underlying problems contributing to food contamination and loss, particularly influencing food and nutrition security in low-income countries. By reducing both pre- and post-harvest losses by rodents, millions of food-insecure people would benefit. As there are limited quantitative data on post-harvest rice losses due to rodents, our objectives were to assess stored rice losses in local households from eight rural communities and two rice milling factories in Bangladesh and to monitor the effect of different rodent control strategies to limit potential losses. Four treatments were applied in 2016 and 2017, (i) untreated control, (ii) use of domestic cats, (iii) use of rodenticides, (iv) use of snap-traps. In total, over a two-year period, 210 rodents were captured from inside people’s homes, with Rattus rattus trapped most often (n = 91), followed by Mus musculus (n = 75) and Bandicota bengalensis (n = 26). In the milling stations, 68 rodents were trapped, of which 21 were M. musculus, 19 R. rattus, 17 B. bengalensis, 8 Rattus exulans, and 3 Mus terricolor. In 2016, losses from standardised baskets of rice within households were between 13.6% and 16.7%. In 2017, the losses were lower, ranging from 0.6% to 2.2%. Daily rodent removal by trapping proved to be most effective to diminish stored produce loss. The effectiveness of domestic cats was limited.

Grain storage loss is a major contributor to post-harvest losses and is one of the main causes of food insecurity for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Thus, the objective of this review is to assess the conventional and emerging grain storage practices for smallholder farmers in developing countries and highlight their most promising features and drawbacks. Smallholder farmers in developing countries use conventional grain storage structures and handling systems such as woven bags or cribs to store grain. However, they are ineffective against mold and insects already present in the grain before storage. Different chemicals are also mixed with grain to improve grain storability. Hermetic storage systems are effective alternatives for grain storage as they have minimal storage losses without using any chemicals. However, hermetic bags are prone to damage and hermetic metal silos are cost-prohibitive to most smallholder farmers in developing countries. Thus, an ideal grain storage system for smallholder farmers should be hermetically sealable, mechanically durable, and cost-effective compared to the conventional storage options. Such a storage system will help reduce grain storage losses, maintain grain quality and contribute to reducing food insecurity for smallholder farmers in developing countries.

This study evaluated the effect of treatment with gum Arabic edible coatings on shelf life and quality parameters of mangoes during 20 days at room temperature. Apple variety of mangoes of uniform size were obtained from small holder farms in Makueni County, Kenya and dipped in various concentrations of gum Arabic solutions [0, 10, 15 and 20% (w/v)] for 1 h, ensuring the coating solution uniformly covered the surface. Control fruits were dipped in distilled water only. The fruits were then air-dried on trays, packed in cardboard boxes and stored at room temperature (23 ± 2 °C) and normal relative humidity (45–60%). Changes in weight loss, ascorbic acid content, ß-carotene, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and pH were determined using standard methods. Gum Arabic coatings (all levels) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced weight loss, delayed increase in TSS and development of ß-carotene, while retaining ascorbic acid in the mangoes during storage compared to the controls. Gum Arabic treatments resulted into higher TA that corresponded with low pH in the mangoes compared to the control. Ripening was slower with gum Arabic treatments and a shelf life of 15 days was obtained for gum Arabic-treated mangoes compared to less than 10 days for the control. Gum Arabic coatings demonstrated gas and water vapour barrier properties, hence extending the shelf life of mangoes while maintaining quality. Gum Arabic treatment can therefore serve as an alternative preservation method for mangoes at farm and transit levels without affecting quality parameters; giving farmers more revenue and reducing post-harvest losses.

Food waste in the global food supply chain is reviewed in relation to the prospects for feeding a population of nine billion by 2050. Different definitions of food waste with respect to the complexities of food supply chains (FSCs)are discussed. An international literature review found a dearth of data on food waste and estimates varied widely; those for post-harvest losses of grain in developing countries might be overestimated. As much of the post-harvest loss data for developing countries was collected over 30 years ago, current global losses cannot be quantified. A significant gap exists in the understanding of the food waste implications of the rapid development of ‘BRIC’ economies. The limited data suggest that losses are much higher at the immediate post-harvest stages in developing countries and higher for perishable foods across industrialized and developing economies alike. For affluent economies, post-consumer food waste accounts for the greatest overall losses. To supplement the fragmentary picture and to gain a forward view, interviews were conducted with international FSC experts. The analyses highlighted the scale of the problem, the scope for improved system efficiencies and the challenges of affecting behavioural change to reduce post-consumer waste in affluent populations.

This study quantified post-harvest losses (PHLs) along the rice supply chain in Kilombero and Mbarali districts, Tanzania, to generate evidence for loss reduction strategies. Assessments were conducted at harvesting, threshing, winnowing, storage and milling, identifying four technical strands at the farm level and twelve at the processing level. At the farm level, PHLs varied: sickle harvesting with heap beating, wind winnowing and home storage (20%); sickle harvesting with bambam threshing, wind winnowing and home storage (23%); sickle harvesting with machine threshing and home storage (13%) and combine harvesting with home storage (16%). At the processing level, losses ranged from 16% to 31%. The lowest occurred with sickle harvesting, machine threshing, storage and multi-stage milling (16%), while the highest involved sickle harvesting, bambam threshing, wind winnowing, storage and Engelberg milling (31%). These findings suggest that PHLs are largely technology-dependent, with improved machinery and multi-stage milling reducing losses and supporting food security.