Food and nutrition security: challenges of post-harvest handling in Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Kimiywe, J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nutrition Society
Abstract
Presently, close to 1 billion people suffer from hunger and food insecurity. Statistics in
Kenya indicates that over 10 million people suffer from chronic food insecurity and poor
nutrition, 2–4 million people require emergency food assistance at any given time with nearly
30 % of Kenya’s children being undernourished, 35 % stunted while micro-nutrient deficiency
is wide spread. Key among the challenges contributing to inadequate foods include
lack of certified seeds, seasonal production (rain-fed), high post-harvest losses and wastages,
poor transportation, low value additions which reduce their market competitiveness. The
present paper examines some of the underlying causes for high food wastage experience
in Kenya and the associated challenges in addressing these problems. The paper also provides
an overview of some of the basic solutions that have been recommended by various
stakeholders. However, in spite of the recent efforts made to mitigate food wastage, there
is still an urgent need to address these gaps through participatory, innovative community
based interventions that will create resilience to climate change and enhance livelihoods
of smallholder farmers in diverse ecosystems.
Description
A paper presented at the Africa Nutritional Epidemiology Conference (ANEC VI) on ‘Food and nutrition security in Africa: new challenges and
opportunities for sustainability' held at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra on 20–25 July 2014
Keywords
Food and nutrition security, Post-harvest handling, Food loss and wastage
Citation
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2015), 74, 487–495