Tanzania on right track in curbing post-harvest losses

Tanzania is making positive strides in curbing post-harvest losses to boost its agricultural sector, according to a recently published third Biennial Review Report of the African Union Commission on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration. The country has set ambitious targets to cut post-harvest losses by 50% by 2025, aiming to enhance food security and increase the efficiency of its agriculture sector. David Nyangue, professor at the International Development at Michigan State University, shared insights on Tanzania's efforts to achieve this goal in an interview with CNBC Africa. Nyangue highlighted the significance of reducing post-harvest losses, which have been a major hindrance to maximizing the benefits of the agriculture sector not just in Tanzania, but across Africa. Post-harvest losses significantly impact the agriculture sector's contribution to the country's GDP, with estimates indicating high losses in Tanzania, particularly for staples such as cereals and fresh produce like fruits and vegetables. The Malabo Declaration has underscored the importance of addressing this issue, prompting Tanzania to commit to substantial reductions in post-harvest losses by 2025. The country aims to decrease post-harvest losses for staples like cereals to 15% and for fresh produce to 25%, marking significant progress towards achieving food security and economic growth in the country. Tanzania's government has recognized the need to invest in improving storage infrastructure to support small and medium-scale farmers transitioning from household-level storage to bulk facilities. In the past five years, the government has allocated over $60 million towards constructing silos and modern storage facilities, with a focus on enhancing technical capabilities and handling infrastructure. Additionally, the government is fostering partnerships with the private sector to facilitate further investments in storage and handling facilities. Private sector players, including companies importing commodities like wheat, are increasingly adopting advanced storage technologies, signaling a positive trend towards modernizing Tanzania's food systems. Collaborations between public and private entities in infrastructure development are expected to drive efficiencies in post-harvest management and contribute to the country's agricultural development.