Post-Harvest Loss Reduction and Smallholder Income Outcomes Across Food Systems

Post-harvest food losses reduce the quantity and quality of agricultural products available for sale or consumption. For smallholder farmers, improved storage, handling, and preservation can protect harvested output and create opportunities to improve market participation. This research examines the relationship between post-harvest loss reduction and smallholder economic outcomes, drawing on evidence from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and field studies across African food systems.

The study compares evidence from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda to distinguish reductions in physical losses from changes in sales revenue, net income, and household welfare. It examines storage technologies, seasonal price differences, adoption costs, and market constraints. The findings emphasize that successful preservation does not automatically translate into higher farm income. Economic benefits depend on how preserved produce is used, the costs of intervention, and farmers' ability to access suitable markets.