Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Food insecurity remains one of the most challenging- yet solvable problems of our time. As we grapple against a growing population, with food production being severely challenged by climate change; demographic change presents us with wide-ranging social, economic and environmental challenges. Many options are currently being debated and considered by decision-makers to tackle the threat of wide-spread food insecurity. One of such options is reducing food loss and waste.
Horticultural food crops like tomatoes are believed to be an essential part of our diet as not only do they add colours to our food, but they are also packed with essential micro and macro nutrient. In Cameroon, the tomatoes food supply chain is a very lucrative business for many stakeholders including input suppliers, producers, middlemen, wholesalers, retailers "buyam sellam" and consumers (hotels and restaurants). Latest statistical estimates reveal that Cameroon is classified as the fifth producer of tomato in Africa with an estimated production of 889,800 tons and annual growth of 9.4%.
The aim of this study is to investigate the causes and extent of food loss and waste along the tomato value chain in Cameroon and to propose evidence-based mitigation strategies for key chain actors. Qualitative analysis was used in this study to understand food loss and waste in the tomato value chain in Cameroon with questionnaires being used to collect data from the different chain actors.
The results showed that waste occurs at all stages in the tomato value chain. In Cameroon. However, farmers in Cameron experienced more loss than any other chain actors. In conclusion, the study suggests that Food Loss and Waste interventions preharvest and postharvest management practices in the tomato value chain should be multi-level and context-sensitive, integrating economic insights.