Post-harvest management key to reducing farm losses
Hiba Debbar, Business Development and Partnerships Manager at Degas Limited, an agric-fintech startup, has emphasised the crucial role of post-harvest management in minimising farm losses.
Advertisement
Speaking at the Daily Graphic-World Food Programme (WFP) Technical Stakeholders Breakfast Meeting, Debbar stressed that post-harvest management is often overlooked despite being critical in maintaining crop quality, reducing losses and ensuring products reach consumers in good condition.
Ms Debbar advocated for stakeholders to prioritise post-harvest management and implement strategic methods to tackle farm losses.
She also suggested incentivising young farmers to venture into farming, which would create a lever to guarantee better post-harvest loss management. Additionally, Debbar called for the creation of an independent ecosystem where farmers, equipment and produce can be assessed periodically to inform decision-making.
Ms Debbar appealed to the government to partner with international organisations to support smallholder farmers, particularly in financing, which is a major challenge within the agricultural value chain.
She also highlighted the importance of mechanised farming tools, irrigation methods and market protection for smallholder farmers. A 32-member ad hoc technical committee has been established to support smallholder farmers, comprising stakeholders from various agricultural sectors.
The committee aims to provide mechanised farming tools, enlighten farmers on irrigation methods and protect markets where smallholder farmers sell their produce.
The membership of the committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Food and Drugs Authority, Chamber of Agribusiness, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana and other agricultural organisations.
