Reducing postharves food losses in developing economies by using a Network of Excellence as an intervention tool

Value chains for perishable products, including fruits and vegetables, require an integrated approach to cope with the challenges in producing sufficient food products in a resource-efficient manner. Developing economies are increasingly investing in their potential of agricultural production; however the absence of a sufficient and functioning infrastructure in the postharvest chain results in large shares of harvested product being lost before reaching the consumer market. This study provides clear analysis of the causes of these postharvest losses and suggests the development of effective interventions that form the nucleus of the network of excellence in support of chain actors to improve performance, increase efficiency and provide good quality food products in local and global markets.