Kenya loses over Sh3 billion to post-harvest challenges

KABARAK, KENYA: The East Africa Grain Council (EAGC) has said Kenyan Government loses approximately Sh3billion annually due to aflatoxin, lack of advanced harvesting technology, pests and diseases.

EAGC Chief Executive Director Gerald Masila said the losses can be controlled by adopting advanced post-harvest technologies and fumigation.

Masila said post-harvest activities are an integral part of food production system that promotes best practices for handling and management cereals along the entire food supply chain.

He observed that there is a huge gap between technology development in research organizations and the ability to adopt new developments.

"Kenya has a lot of natural resources for agricultural production including ample rains and fertile soils but unfortunately, her people remain poor due to lack of technology of utilizing the resources," said Masila.

Post-harvest practices that reduce products loss including cleaning, packing, processing, storage , transportation and distribution will enable agricultural produce in the region compete globally due to good quality.

The director was speaking during agribusiness expo held at Kabarak University where he called on the government to build on innovation technical capacity to farmers and agricultural stakeholders in good post-harvest handling practices in agricultural value chains.