Innovation challenge spark ideas to solve post-harvest losses in Senegal

Senegal faces post-harvest losses which affect somewhere between 12 to 40 percent of GDP, and often result in annual financial losses of around USD 167 million.

Post-harvest losses in cereals, protein crops, and horticulture have a direct impact on the country’s food and economic sovereignty, and occur at various stages of the agricultural value chain.

When it comes to horticulture for instance, on average, 30% of vegetable production is lost on the farm and therefore never reaches the stage of sale or consumption.

Eliminating these losses could increase the total value of vegetable supply by 45% (equivalent to USD 72 million) per year and reduce annual vegetable imports by 22%.

Post-harvest losses have been identified as a common challenge in Climate Smart Investment Plans (CSAIP) that have been co-developed in partnership with local stakeholders and decision makers.

The CSAIPs, through science-based evidence, identify concrete actions governments can take to boost climate-smart agriculture, both in the form of investment opportunities and policy design and implementation.