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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Hortic.
Sec. Postharvest Physiology, Management and Technology
Volume 3 - 2024 |
doi: 10.3389/fhort.2024.1489192
This article is part of the Research Topic Sustainable Approaches to Food Loss and Waste Reduction in Smallholder Horticulture: from Proof of Concept to Scale View all articles
Challenges and Effective Strategies for Developing and Scaling Solutions to Reduce Food Loss and Waste in Kenya's Fruit and Vegetable Sector
Provisionally accepted- 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
- 2 Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
The sustainability of horticulturalfresh fruits and vegetables value chains is challenged by high levels of food loss and waste (FLW) in resource-limited economies. In Kenya, where smallholder farmers dominate the food production sector, FLW in fruits and vegetables is estimated at 30-40%.This study investigated the ecosystem of FLW solution providers in Kenya, examining the challenges faced in developing and scaling interventions, and identifying successful strategies to overcome these barriers. A qualitative approach was employed. Primary data on FLW was obtained from solution providers through key informantsinformant interviews. The FLW solution providers were categorized as either successful or partially successful based on their commercial viability and operational tenure. The study utilized purposive sampling and a structured interview guide. The study identified several key challenges faced by FLW solution providers which comprised insufficient technical knowledge in food processing and machine operation, limited financial capacity for both operation and scaling, inconsistent supply of raw materials due to seasonality, competition from established companies and artificial products, slow market penetration, and low product acceptability (for partially successful providers). Successful solution providers employed various strategies to overcome these challenges including partnering with universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations for research, development, and initial financing; undertaking comprehensive technical and commercial viability assessments before scaling; adopting product differentiation to capture diverse markets; utilizing preservation techniques like drying and establishing off-take contracts to counter supply inconsistencies and establishing stable external markets and reliable business to business models. The study also revealed the potential for gender-inclusive impact, as many solution providers tend to employ more women due to the nature of the work. The findings highlight the critical role of partnerships, comprehensive market research, and adaptive strategies in developing successful FLW solutions.The contrast between successful and partially successful solution providers underscores the importance of comprehensive planning, technical expertise, and market-oriented approaches. By learning from successful solution providers and addressing key challenges, stakeholders can create more sustainable and effective interventions to reduce FLW and improve food security and nutrition status, and enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Keywords: Food loss and waste, markets, nutrition, scaling intervention, solution providers
Received: 31 Aug 2024; Accepted: 31 Oct 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Owino, Kahenya, Wafula and Otieno. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Willis O. Owino, Department of Food Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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